CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Respiratory illnesses continue to rise across North Carolina as the state’s Department of Health and Human Services reported over 3,000 people admitted to hospital emergency departments in one week in February with symptoms of a respiratory virus.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports flu cases have reached the highest level in 15 years.

What You Need To Know

  • COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus continue to rise across North Carolina 

  • Halotherapy is a practice where people sit in a specially designed room filled with tiny salt particles that are inhaled

  • Studies in the National Library of Medicine found benefits of using salt rooms such as reducing inflammation, promoting drainage and breaking down mucus

As these illnesses continue, Helen Daly, co-owner of The Invigory wellness center, says its services have been booked for months as people try different ways to power through runny noses, coughs and congestion.

One method that has gained traction this season is halotherapy, also known as salt room therapy, in which people sit in a specially designed room filled with tiny salt particles that are inhaled to improve respiratory health.

“Every day it's booked. That whole section for the salt room is just completely booked,” Daly said. “We’ve seen a huge uptick in parents and their children.”

While research around the practice is limited, studies in the National Library of Medicine found benefits from using salt rooms, including reducing inflammation, promoting drainage and breaking down mucus.

“We tell people to take big, open-mouth, deep breaths so it can clear out your respiratory system, and it just really helps just to completely rid your system of any viruses and bacteria that may be sitting,” said Lisa Lunda, a registered nurse at The Invigory.

In January, Duke Health temporarily limited patient visits due to the rise in respiratory illnesses, and in one week, nearly 20% of ER visits were for respiratory symptoms, almost triple what they normally see during non-viral months of the year.

Lunda believes these rates have encouraged people to use salt rooms for relief in the early stages of symptoms.

“A lot of people at the first sign of a sniffle, they'll come in and come to the salt room and that'll usually knock out whatever's festering in their system,” Lunda said.

To avoid the spread of respiratory illnesses, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends frequent handwashing and disinfection of surfaces.