What you can expect

Your doctor may consider convalescent plasma therapy if you're in the hospital with COVID-19 and you are early in your illness or you have a weakened immune system. If you have questions about convalescent plasma therapy, ask your doctor.

Your doctor will order convalescent plasma that is compatible with your blood type from your hospital's local blood supplier.

Before the procedure

Before convalescent plasma therapy, your health care team prepares you for the procedure. A health care team member inserts a sterile single-use needle connected to a tube (intravenous, or IV, line) into a vein in one of your arms.

During the procedure

When the plasma arrives, the sterile plasma bag is attached to the tube and the plasma drips out of the bag and into the tube. It takes about 1 to 2 hours to complete the procedure.

After the procedure

You'll be closely monitored after you receive the convalescent plasma. Your doctor will record your response to the treatment. He or she may also record how long you need to stay in the hospital and if you need other therapies.