Bryan Cranston goes public with 'very mild' coronavirus battle

Actor Bryan Cranston has been donating plasma to aid in the fight against the coronavirus after revealing he tested positive for COVID-19 early on in the pandemic.

The Breaking Bad star went public with his health setback with a video on Instagram on Thursday, explaining he was 'very lucky' to experience only 'very mild symptoms', such as headaches, tightness in his chest, and a loss of taste and smell.

In the clip, Cranston chronicles a visit to the University of California, Los Angeles Blood and Platelet Center, where he is donating his antibodies for medical research.

"Hopefully the plasma donation can help some other people," he says in the footage.

Cranston is also using his experience to encourage fans to do their part in ongoing efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 following a spike in positive cases in states around the U.S.

In the accompanying caption, he wrote: "Hi. About now you're probably feeling a little tied down, restricting your mobility and like me, you're tired of this!!"

Urging fans to have a little more patience with safety protocols, he added: "I was pretty strict in adhering to the protocols and still... I contracted the virus. Yep. it sounds daunting now that over 150,000 Americans are dead because of it."

Cranston explained: "I was one of the lucky ones. Mild symptoms." He then stressed the importance of masks, hand washing, and social distancing to reduce the spread of the virus.

"We can prevail - but ONLY if we follow the rules together. Be well - Stay well," he concluded.