How Plasma Helps Improve and Save Lives
WHY YOU SHOULD DONATE
Only plasma that meets the strict safety requirements of the FDA
is used to manufacture life-enhancing and life-saving, plasma-derived, prescription drugs.
These plasma protein therapies can be used to manage serious and often life-threatening conditions, including:
- infection
- shock
- blood loss due to trauma, burns, and surgery
- immune disorders
- hepatitis, tetanus, and rabies exposure
- lung disease caused by a genetic form of emphysema
- hemophilia and other coagulation disorders
Blood loss due to trauma, burns, and surgery
Human albumin is a protein manufactured by the liver. It performs multiple functions, including the transport of many small molecules in the blood. Albumin products are used to manage serious and often life-threatening conditions, such as shock and blood loss due to trauma, burns, and surgery.
Immune disorders
Immune deficiency disorders occur when the immune system fails to recognize and react to bacteria and viruses, making the affected person vulnerable to often fatal infections. IGIV is the only effective treatment for primary immunodeficiency diseases. IGIV is a solution of immune globulins (Ig) containing antibodies present in human adult blood that is provided intravenously (IV).
Hepatitis, tetanus, and rabies exposure
Hepatitis A is an inflammation
of the liver caused by the
hepatitis A virus. Travelers to
developing countries and people
in day care environments are
among those most exposed to the
hepatitis A virus.
Tetanus is an acute
bacterial disease that affects
the central nervous system and
is characterized by increased
muscle tone and persistent tonic
spasms. Tetanus sometimes
results in death.
Rabies is a viral
infection that affects the
central nervous system. It is
generally transmitted from
animal to human through a bite
or exposure of broken skin to
the animal's saliva.
Hyperimmune globulin
therapies are concentrated
immune globulins used to treat
these patients. Immune globulin
works by providing the body's
immune system with antibodies
necessary to protect against the
virus until it can produce its
own antibodies.
Lung disease
caused by a genetic form of
emphysema
Alpha1-antitrypsin
deficiency, also referred to as
Alpha-1, is an inherited
disorder that causes a
significant reduction in the
naturally occurring protein
alpha1-proteinase
inhibitor, also known as alpha1-antitrypsin
(AAT). Reduced levels of AAT
result in the body being less
able to protect itself from
elastase, an enzyme in the white
blood cells that normally helps
to fight bacteria and that can
cause damage to the air sacs in
the lungs if not neutralized by
AAT. AAT deficiency may
predispose an individual to
several serious illnesses, most
commonly emphysema beginning in
the third or fourth decade of
life.
Augmentation therapy
consists of weekly intravenous
(IV) infusions of alpha1-antitrypsin
(AAT) derived from human plasma.
It is used to increase the
concentration of the protein in
the blood and lungs.
Augmentation therapy products
are the only products approved
by the FDA for the treatment of
AAT deficiency.
Hemophilia and other coagulation disorders
The human body typically maintains a balance of blood proteins that slow or stop blood flow (in the case of injury) and facilitate blood flow (to prevent blood clots). Hemophilia is a genetic disorder characterized by the deficiency or absence of one of the blood proteins responsible for clotting. Antihemophilic factor is a plasma therapy product used for the treatment of hemophilia A. Another coagulation disorder is a deficiency of antithrombin III (AT III) which can increase the risk of blood clots. AT III concentrate is a plasma therapy product used for replacement therapy when treating this condition.
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