Ms. Danuta from Chocianów was one of the first people to receive convalescent plasma at the Bolesławiec Healthcare Complex. When she arrived at the Bolesławiec hospital, she was in very serious condition. – She was fighting for every breath, says Jarosław Kuc, head of the anesthesiology and intensive care department. – Symptoms of respiratory failure were worsening, and she was on oxygen all the time, adds Elżbieta Dzikońska-Bywalec, head of the neurology department.
The woman from Chocianów has cancer. After chemotherapy, she began to feel unwell and developed a very high fever—39.5°C. She was taken to hospital. It turned out that, to make matters worse, she was infected with the coronavirus.
In mid-May, a decision was made to administer convalescent plasma to the woman. – I felt ill; I thought I would not make it, says Ms. Danuta. – But I knew that I was in very good hands. I concluded that this was the only thing that could help me.
She had no concerns about receiving the plasma. After all, she had been given blood when she was in an accident. She is also a blood donor herself.
The effects of the therapy exceeded the boldest expectations. – Within 24 hours, the patient’s condition began to improve: she started sitting up, then walking, and her appetite returned, lists E. Dzikońska-Bywalec. – This progress in her recovery brought a big smile to our faces; we did not expect it to happen so quickly, emphasizes J. Kuc.
Ms. Danuta has recovered and has been discharged from hospital. – I feel fantastic, says the former patient of the Bolesławiec Healthcare Complex. Now she faces a battle with cancer.
We have already written about the matter in our newspaper. What does it look like from a logistical perspective? – We cannot keep the plasma on site, J. Kuc previously explained. – When there is a patient and we are certain that they consent to this treatment, we order the plasma and arrange transport.
The hospital in Bolesławiec is one of three centers across Lower Silesia where this therapy, approved by the State Research Agency under the direction of Professor Grzegorz Mazur from Wrocław Medical University, is being tested. All data from Bolesławiec will be sent to Professor G. Mazur.
Where did the idea of administering convalescent plasma to coronavirus-infected patients come from? – It is an old method that was used both during the SARS epidemic and during the Ebola epidemic. It produced good results, added Jarosław Kuc. – It is not a dangerous method.