
Norovirus infections affect millions of people worldwide every year. As a functional medicine practitioner, I often find that people confuse norovirus with other gastrointestinal infections. This guide clarifies the differences and explores evidence-based strategies to prevent and support recovery from norovirus.
Norovirus vs. Stomach Flu
Norovirus
- A highly contagious virus from the Caliciviridae family
- Requires as few as 18 viral particles to cause infection
- Symptoms last 1–3 days
- Spread through contaminated food, water, surfaces, or person-to-person contact
- Handwashing with soap and water is essential; sanitizers are ineffective
Stomach Flu (Viral Gastroenteritis)
- A general term for intestinal infections caused by multiple viruses (e.g., rotavirus, adenovirus)
- Symptoms may last 3–7 days, typically milder than norovirus
- May respond to alcohol-based hand sanitizers
- Generally less contagious
How Norovirus Spreads
- Consuming contaminated food or water
- Contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces
- Eating raw or undercooked shellfish
- Ingesting improperly washed produce
Recognizing Norovirus Symptoms
Symptoms appear 12–48 hours after exposure and may include:
- Sudden, severe vomiting
- Watery diarrhea
- Intense abdominal cramping
- Low-grade fever (98.6–100°F)
- Fatigue, muscle aches, and headache
- Loss of appetite

Evidence-Based Natural Support Protocol
Core Supplement Support
1️⃣ Zinc Carnosine (75mg twice daily)
- More effective than regular zinc for gut support
- Helps maintain gut mucosal integrity
- Take between meals
- Continue for 1-2 weeks after recovery
2️⃣ Saccharomyces boulardii (5-10 billion CFU, 2-3 times daily)
- Clinically proven beneficial yeast
- Helps combat diarrhea
- Can be taken with food
- Safe to continue long-term
- Can be combined with other probiotics
3️⃣ DGL (Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice)
- Take 1-2 chewable tablets before meals
- Supports mucus membrane health
- Best taken 15 minutes before eating
- Avoid if you have high blood pressure
4️⃣ Reishi Mushroom (500-1000mg daily)
- Best taken preventively
- Take with food
- Look for hot water extracted products
- Consider combining with other medicinal mushrooms
5️⃣ Melatonin (3-5mg before bed)
- Take 30-60 minutes before sleep
- Supports gut barrier function
- Also helps with sleep disruption during illness
- Start with lower dose and increase as needed
Additional Support Supplements
Vitamin D3 (2000-5000 IU daily)
- Take with fatty meal for better absorption
- Best taken in morning with food
Probiotics (10-50 billion CFU daily)
- Look for multiple strains
- Take on empty stomach
- Choose shelf-stable formulations
L-Glutamine (5g daily)
- Take between meals
- Can divide into multiple doses
- Best absorbed when taken alone
Hydration Support
Proper hydration is crucial during norovirus infection:
- Coconut water for natural electrolytes
- Mineral-rich bone broths (We like Kettle & Fire)
- Herbal teas (especially ginger, chamomile)
- Small, frequent sips rather than large amounts
- Add pinch of sea salt to water for electrolyte balance
Recovery Protocol
Days 1-2 (Acute Phase) Stomach-Settling Options:
Ginger Protocol (choose the form that appeals most to you):
- Ginger tea (2-3 cups daily, steeped for 10 minutes) OR
- Crystallized ginger (small pieces every 2-3 hours) OR
- Ginger capsules (250-500mg every 6-8 hours) OR
- Fresh ginger root in warm water (1-inch piece steeped)
- Note: You don’t need to use multiple forms of ginger – pick the one that’s most appealing and practical for you during illness.
Additional Stomach Support:
- Peppermint tea (avoid if reflux present)
- Small ice chips for hydration
- Chamomile tea between ginger doses
- Traditional warm water with lemon and honey
Core Protocol:
- Focus primarily on hydration
- Start S. boulardii
- Begin zinc carnosine
- Use DGL as needed for comfort
- Rest and avoid solid foods if vomiting
Timing Tips:
- Take tiny sips of fluids (1-2 teaspoons) every 5-10 minutes
- Wait 30 minutes between different remedies
- If vomiting occurs, wait 30 minutes before trying liquids again
Days 3-5 (Early Recovery)
- Introduce easily digestible foods (broths, plain rice, applesauce)
- Continue all supplements
- Add L-glutamine
- Begin probiotics
Days 6-14 (Full Recovery)
- Return to normal diet
- Continue gut healing supplements
- Add Reishi for immune support
- Monitor for lingering symptoms

Prevention Strategies
- Hand Hygiene
- Wash with soap and water for 20 seconds minimum
- Hand sanitizer alone is not effective against norovirus
- Wash before eating and after bathroom use
- Food Safety
- Wash all produce thoroughly
- Cook shellfish completely
- Use separate cutting boards for raw/cooked foods
- Avoid food preparation when sick
- Environmental Cleaning
- Use chlorine-based cleaners (1:50 dilution)
- Clean contaminated surfaces immediately
- Wash contaminated linens in hot water
- Dispose of cleaning materials safely
When to Seek Medical Care
Contact healthcare provider immediately if:
- Unable to keep liquids down for 24 hours
- Signs of severe dehydration appear
- Dark urine
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth and throat
- Decreased urination
- Bloody stools
- Severe abdominal pain
- Fever above 102°F (39°C)
Conclusion
While norovirus is highly contagious and can be severe, a well-planned functional medicine approach can help support the body during infection and recovery. Focus on prevention first, but be prepared with appropriate supplements and protocols if infection occurs. Remember that proper hydration and rest remain fundamental to recovery.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen, especially during acute illness.
References
Hall AJ, et al. “Updated Norovirus Outbreak Management and Disease Prevention Guidelines.” MMWR Recomm Rep. 2011;60(RR-3):1-18. [Link]
Patel MM, et al. “Systematic Literature Review of Role of Noroviruses in Sporadic Gastroenteritis.” Emerg Infect Dis. 2008;14(8):1224-31. [Link]
Mahmood K, et al. “Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes.” Gut. 2007;56(2):168-75. [Link]
McFarland LV. “Systematic review and meta-analysis of Saccharomyces boulardii in adult patients.” World J Gastroenterol. 2010;16(18):2202-22. [Link]
Ernst E, Pittler MH. “Efficacy of ginger for nausea and vomiting: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.” Br J Anaesth. 2000;84(3):367-71. [Link]
Rao RK, Samak G. “Role of Glutamine in Protection of Intestinal Epithelial Tight Junctions.” J Epithel Biol Pharmacol. 2012;5(Suppl 1-M7):47-54. [Link]