Doctor gives blood for Ebola-infected Dallas nurse

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-EXCITE

By EMILY SCHMALL and NOMAAN MERCHANT

DALLAS (AP) — A Dallas nurse who caught Ebola while treating a Liberian patient who died of the disease has received a plasma transfusion donated by a doctor who beat the virus.

Ebola has killed more than 4,000 people in an outbreak the World Health Organization has called "the most severe, acute health emergency seen in modern times." Federal health officials say they are ramping up training for medical workers who deal with the infected.

Nurse Nina Pham was among about 70 staff members at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital who cared for Thomas Eric Duncan, according to medical records. They drew his blood, put tubes down his throat and wiped up his diarrhea. They analyzed his urine and wiped saliva from his lips, even after he had lost consciousness.

The 26-year-old nurse was in his room often, from the day he was placed in intensive care until the day before he died.

FULL story at link.



Father Jim Khoi talks to the media before evening mass at the Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Fort Worth, Texas, Monday, Oct. 13, 2014. Ebola patient Nina Pham is a member of the church. (AP Photo/The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Mark Rogers)


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141014/ebola-0cefe19125.html

[Little Star]

1. His blood type must be a match for her?

Last edited Tue Oct 14, 2014, 10:11 AM - Edit history (1)

[cosmicone]

2. Not necessary

They are only transfusing plasma. Plasma is the liquid that remains after all cells are removed.

Any human's plasma can be given to any other human without typing and cross matching.

She doesn't need cells but needs anti-ebola antibodies which are in the doctor's plasma.

[LisaL]

3. That is not accurate.

"Plasma contains Anti-A and Anti-B antibodies depending upon blood group. Patients should only receive plasma which does not contain an antibody which could attack their own red cells.(4)"

http://mytransfusion.com.au/node/blood-groups-and-compatibility

[Little Star]

5. Thank you. I am on a learning curve.

[Little Star]

4. Thank you. I should have used a question mark. Changed now.

[Treant]

7. Or he's type O-

or a match for her positive.

As long as the blood type would be able to donate (A+ for AB+ recipient, for example), she'll be fine. And there's very little chance they messed that one up!

[HockeyMom]

8. Learned something very intesting recently when my daughter was pregnant

I am O Positive. My husband is 0 Positive. We assumed that our children would Rh Positive. Not so. My daughter found out when tested in pregnancy she is O Negative. How can that be with 2 Rh Positive parents? Researched this a bit on line and it is possible when both parents are not ++ but both are +-. Their child can inherit the - from each parent and be Rh Negative. Much like how two brown eyed parents can have a blue eyed child? That is our experience also.

My daughter's husband is Rh Negative, so their son is Rh Negative. No problem with his birth. Sorry, to get OT here, but thought it was interesting, and informative about blood typing and Rh factor.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. I agree; it IS interesting!

These sorts of situations happen when recessive genes come together. My dad had blue eyes in a family of brown-eyed people too.

[Skittles]

11. two positives can have a negative but two negatives cannot have a positive

how's that for a statement?

[HockeyMom]

10. Type O is the universal donor

They can give blood to any other blood type. However, type O can only receive type O blood. My Dad was type O, needed a transfusion, and they did not have "O" on hand and the hospital had to get it from another supply.

Rh Factor? I know that pregnant women who are Rh positive don't have a problem with Rh negative babies. Myself and my daughter. It is the reverse that is a problem. When my Rh negative daughter was pregnant, her doctor wanted her husband tested to see what his Rh was. He is Negative also, and nothing more was said about it. I suppose two Rh negative parents cannot have a Rh positive child, unlike the reverse. Rh negative blood attacks Rh positive blood. Is that it in simplistic terms?

Interesting as I said.

[Travelman]

6. Cool. I hope it helps.

If there is any "upside" to him being infected in the first place, I'd say that this is it. At least he can use that to help others.

[Judi Lynn]

12. Good news. Best wishes and hope to both parties. Thank you. n/t