With current shortages of plasma, people with immune globulin therapy are at risk of not having the plasma needed to live a normal life and even survive.
That said, what is primary immunodeficiency? What are the signs of primary immunodeficiency? Why is plasma needed to counteract such a problem? If these are the questions in your mind right now, then stick around:
What Is Primary Immunodeficiency?
Plasma for primary immunodeficiency is a treatment for a condition known as primary immunodeficiency. This condition is responsible for immune system abnormalities or malfunctions in the body. Such a disorder compromises the ability of the human body to fight infection or disease.
Primary immunodeficiency can be caused by a defect in the immune system or in the genes that control the immune system. This means that primary immunodeficiency conditions may be acquired or congenital. Congenital primary immunodeficiency is usually inherited and appears at birth, while acquired primary immunodeficiency may result from an acquired disease or a condition.
What Are The Signs Of Primary Immunodeficiency?
A person with primary immunodeficiency shows signs of susceptibility to infections or other illnesses. Secondary symptoms of primary immunodeficiency may include recurrent infections, poor growth, recurrent skin rashes or sores, or other skin problems.
Poor immunity is often a sign of primary immunodeficiency. Also, people with primary immunodeficiency manage to develop infections despite the fact that they are living in a clean environment.
Why Is Plasma Needed For Primary Immunodeficiency?
As mentioned earlier, for primary immunodeficiency, plasma is needed. Plasma is a clear, straw-colored liquid made up of about 90-92% water and 8-10% proteins, carbohydrates, and electrolytes. Plasma is the liquid portion of blood that actually circulates through the arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Plasma is also responsible for regulating and maintaining blood volume and blood pressure. Plasma is made up of many proteins, including antithrombin, albumin, fibrinogen, and immunoglobulins.
What Are Antibodies?
Antibodies or immunoglobulins are another vital role of plasma in primary immunodeficiency treatment. Antibodies are molecules in the immune system that fight invading pathogens and prevent them from entering the body. Antibodies are made by plasma cells and can be found in plasma.
So what are plasma cells? Plasma cells are specialized white blood cells that are responsible for the production of antibodies. Plasma cells are found in the lymph nodes and the spleen. They also circulate to the bone marrow and the gastrointestinal tract.
Antibodies are produced in response to the invasion of pathogens in the body, and their job is to neutralize or destroy a pathogen by attaching to it and marking it for removal. As well, antibodies can unleash a targeted attack on a pathogen and inactivate it.
Conclusion
So, why should you consider donating your plasma? It’s because people with primary immunodeficiency need it. Plasma is a vital component of treatment for primary immunodeficiency. When your plasma is injected into a patient experiencing primary immunodeficiency, antibodies and proteins that have the ability to neutralize pathogenic organisms are injected into the patient’s body. In a sense, your plasma is working hard to save someone else’s life, and you can be a superhero in their lives by simply donating your plasma!
thplasma is a plasma-donation company driven by innovation and guided by genuine care to help bring plasma to those in need. If you are interested in donating plasma for cash, reach out to us today!