Respiratory syncytial virus, more commonly known as RSV, is a respiratory virus that primarily affects infants and young children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis (inflammation of the small airways in the lungs) and pneumonia (lung infection) in children younger than one year old. In fact, each year in the United States, RSV is responsible for more hospitalizations of young children than any other virus.There is no specific cure for RSV, and treatment generally focuses on relieving symptoms. However, salt therapy—also known as halotherapy—has shown promise as a possible treatment option for those with RSV. Here’s a closer look at how salt therapy at Awaken for Wellness works and its potential benefits for those suffering from RSV.

Salt therapy is a drug-free, all-natural treatment that involves inhaling fine particles of pharmaceutical grade sodium chloride.  Sodium and chloride are not only safe but are both required and beneficial to the body. When these particles are breathed in, they travel deep into the lungs where they help to break up mucus, reduce inflammation, and kill bacteria and destroy viruses.  The result is improved breathing and overall respiratory health.Salt therapy at Awaken For Wellness in Woodbury, MN is delivered in a large salt covered room that delivers microscopic salt particles in the air so you can easily breathe it into your lungs. The small particles are able to get deep into the bronchioles, the small airways of the lungs, to reduce inflammation and flush through mucus.Since mucus, bronchiole mucus plug, and inflammation are the main causes of severe illness in infants, it makes sense that salt therapy could be part of the solution.The Benefits of Salt Therapy for RSV While more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of salt therapy as a treatment for RSV, preliminary studies have shown promising results including reduced hospital stays. Given these findings, it’s likely that salt therapy could also help those with RSV to improve their symptoms and feel better overall.Salt therapy is an all-natural treatment that involves inhaling fine particles of salt. When these particles are breathed in, they travel deep into the lungs where they help to break up mucus, reduce inflammation, and kill bacteria and destroy viruses. The result is improved breathing and overall respiratory health. While more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of salt therapy as a treatment for RSV, preliminary studies have shown promising results.Provided your child does not have any negative side effects after their first visit, we generally suggest enjoying our salt therapy rooms 3 days in a row. This will help keep the mucus thin and the inflammation at bay. It is possible and sometimes necessary to utilize a salt room in the morning and evening for more serious conditions. While salt therapy is safe for almost everyone, we always encourage you to work with your pediatrician to design the best plan of action for your child with RSV or any respiratory complication.1. Zhang L, Mendoza-Sassi RA, Wainwright C, Klassen TP. Nebulised hypertonic saline solution for acute bronchiolitis in infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;(7):CD006458. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]