Immunologist explains possible COVID-19 treatment and how those who’ve recovered from the virus can help

ORLANDO, Fla. — As of now, there is no vaccine for COVID-19 and only a handful of experimental treatments.

But Channel 9 certified meteorologist George Waldenberger talked with a local doctor, who described how one treatment option may be effective.

“It's a procedure that's been used before, like with the SARS virus,” said Dr. Michael Anderson, board certified immunologist.

READ: Coronavirus: ‘Convalescent plasma’ study to begin at Massachusetts hospital

“The idea: Can an immunity someone else has built up to COVID-19, help you?”

Anderson said when the virus gets into the cells of your respiratory track, it divides and replicates itself so it makes multiple copies of its self. In return, he said, our white blood cells start to produce antibodies against the virus.

These antibodies are proteins, designed to neutralize toxins.

He said it’s a race against time to produce enough of these antibodies.

“While this thing is producing millions of these viruses in your lungs, your immune system is trying to produce millions of these antibodies, if this wins the race, then you succumb to the infection,” he said.

For the many who do not succumb, and recover their antibody-supercharged blood can be donated to help others win that race against the virus.

OneBlood is currently seeking out those who have recovered from the virus.

“There are literally hundreds of people in this county alone, that could be given life-saving plasma today,” a representative said.

Although there are some uncertainties with this process and the new coronavirus, Anderson said his biggest worry is that there will be a delay in getting these antibodies donated to those that need them.

His message: Donate now if you’ve recovered from COVID-19.

VIDEO: Scientists study if blood type has an effect on coronavirus Blair Miller reports.

© 2020 Cox Media Group