Cold sores (oral herpes)

Do you have painful blisters or sores around your mouth? You may have cold sores (oral herpes) and could benefit from treatment.

Get treatment for cold sores (oral herpes) today

$49

/chat visit
  • Self-pay visits - insurance not accepted or needed, FSA/HSA eligible
  • No appointment needed
  • Your health data is secure and protected by our practices and by law

How it works

  1. Connect with the doctor through instant messaging
  2. Pick up any prescribed medication at a pharmacy of your choice or have it delivered
  3. Your care team is available 7 days a week

What are cold sores (oral herpes)?

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). They typically appear as small, painful blisters or sores around the mouth or lips.

What are the symptoms of cold sores?

Symptoms can include tingling, itching, or burning before the blisters appear, followed by the development of small, fluid-filled blisters that eventually crust over and heal. Cold sores can be recurrent, meaning they can come back periodically.

How are cold sores treated?

Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and reducing the duration of outbreaks. Antiviral medications, either topical or oral, can help speed up healing and prevent future outbreaks.

Is a chat-visit right for me?

A chat visit with Well Revolution might be right for you if:

  • You're 18-64 years old
  • You have a history of cold sores and are experiencing a new outbreak
  • You need a prescription for antiviral medication to manage your cold sores
  • You want to get quick and easy access to treatment
  • You don’t have kidney problems, a seizure disorder, or an immunocompromising condition

Common cold sore treatments

Your Well Revolution provider will determine which (if any) treatment is medically appropriate based on your symptoms. If prescribed medication, pick it up at a pharmacy of your choice or your nearest Well Revolution Care Location. The cost of your medication may be covered by health insurance.

Treatment for cold sores typically involves:

  • Topical Antiviral Creams: Docosanol (Abreva), Acyclovir (Zovirax), Penciclovir (Denavir)
  • Oral Antiviral Medications: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir (Valtrex), Famciclovir (Famvir)

Other cold sore treatments may not be available through Chat-visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Cold sores (oral herpes)

What causes cold sores?

Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), which is a common virus that most people are exposed to during childhood.

Can I prevent cold sores from recurring?

While there's no cure for oral herpes, you can reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks by avoiding triggers (stress, sun exposure, illness), practicing good hygiene, and using antiviral medications as prescribed.

Can I get genital herpes from someone with oral herpes?

Yes, it's possible to get genital herpes from someone with oral herpes through oral sex.

Is oral herpes contagious?

Yes, oral herpes is contagious and can be spread through direct contact with an infected person, such as kissing or sharing utensils.

How long does it take for a cold sore to heal?

Cold sores typically heal within 7-10 days without treatment, but antiviral medications can speed up healing.

What should I do if my cold sores are frequent or severe?

If you experience frequent or severe cold sore outbreaks, you should consult with a doctor to discuss treatment options and potential underlying causes.

About Well Revolution

What does it cost?

Most visits cost $49 between 7 am and 9 pm 7 days (Mon-Sun).

See our pricing page for more information.

How do visits work in Well Revolution?

Start a private and secure instant message with a Well Revolution doctor right here from your phone or desktop.

You can send text, voice and video messages, share images, videos and documents, and have voice and video calls all from inside the Well Revolution instant messenger.

Do I need to make an appointment?

No appointment is needed with Well Revolution. Start a private chat with a doctor at any time.

What's included with my visit?

A visit with a Well Revolution doctor. The doctor will decide on what care is appropriate for you.

Can I use my health insurance for my visit?

Well Revolution doesn't accept health insurance for visits.

You can submit a claim to your insurance provider for reimbursement, but we can’t guarantee they’ll reimburse you for your chat visit.

If you normally use insurance to pay for your medications, you can do that with medications prescribed through all Well Revolution services. Please talk with your pharmacy directly about insurance coverage.

The cost of medication isn’t included in the cost of your visit.

How do prescriptions work?

The doctor creates and sends paperless prescriptions for you. They will send your prescription to your favourite or nearest pharmacy for the most convenient pick-up location, or you can choose home delivery.

Free Home Delivery: Prescriptions can be sent to our pharmacy partner for convenient, affordable and free home delivery. Many medications are available to you for $24 or less - with or without insurance.

Pick up: Your out-of-pocket medication costs will depend on your insurance and where you decide to get your prescription filled.