Cold Sore Antibiotics

Discover how to test for cold sores, and get treatment with free and fast delivery.

Prices from £19.95

To request a treatment, fill in a brief medical questionnaire. A doctor will then prescribe treatment if it’s right for you. For test kits, you can just place an order. Once you’ve sent your sample to our UK-accredited partner laboratory, results and advice from our doctors will be ready in 2 to 3 days.

Cold sores are a types of herpes infection that affects your mouth causing sores and other symptoms. You can test yourself for cold sores using a home swab test kit.

Herpes infections can’t be cured so if you have cold sores you may need regular treatment for outbreaks. This is known as ‘acute treatment’. You may also need ongoing treatment to avoid regular outbreaks. This is called ‘suppressive treatment’.

Using a home test works in the following steps:

  1. Request and get your kit delivered to your door, or collect from a local Post Office (delivery is free)
  2. Collect your sample as per the instructions
  3. Send your samples to our UK based, accredited partner laboratory (postage is free)
  4. Once your results are available (in 2 to 3 days), our doctors will review your results
  5. One of our doctors will contact you, via a secure and confidential message in your patient account, to let you know your results and give you advice and support on what to do next

In some cases, the doctor may need to ask for more information. They may contact you by phone, so make sure your telephone number is up to date in your online account.

Please note, when you request a generic (non branded) treatment, the product you receive may look slightly different than what we show on our website. The active ingredient in the medication will be exactly the same though. This is because we use a range of manufacturers to ensure we always have enough stock for patients. If you have any questions, you can message our Customer Support team or doctors through your account.


Pack of 56 Aciclovir 400mg dispersable oral tablets
Aciclovir

In stock. Prices from £19.95

ZAVA cold sore test kit
Cold Sore Test Kit

In stock. Prices from £79.99

A packet of Valaciclovir 500mg film-coated tablets
Valaciclovir

In stock. Prices from £29.95

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Who can get cold sore test kits and treatments online?

You can request a cold sore test kit if:

  • you’re over 18
  • you think you’re having cold sore symptoms

You can get cold sore treatment if:

  • you’re not allergic to the treatments offered
  • your immune system is not suppressed
  • you don’t have any kidney problems

How to get a test or treatment online

You can request treatments or test kits using the following steps.

For a test kit:

  • fill out a short online assessment questionnaire
  • place your request and make a payment
  • your test kit will then be sent to you

For treatment:

  • upload photos of your symptoms
  • your treatment request will be reviewed by a doctor
  • if your request is approved it can be sent to you by post or you can pick it up from a local Post Office
  • if your request is not approved your payment will be refunded

How to use the test kit

Your test kit will come with instructions that should follow carefully to make sure you get accurate results. Follow these steps to use your test kit:

  1. Take the swab out of your test kit
  2. Swab the area that you think is a cold sore - if you have a sore or a blister it is best if the swab is taken directly from it. You may need to break the blister
  3. Place your swab into the tube provided
  4. Post your sample to the lab using the prepaid envelope provided in your kit
  5. Your results will be available 1-3 days after you sample reaches the lab
  6. Your results will be displayed in your patient account. For security and privacy reasons we won’t email your results to you

Common side effects of cold sore treatment

Aciclovir can cause the following side effects:

  • headaches and feeling sick
  • diarrhoea
  • dizziness
  • itchiness/rashes
  • tummy pain
  • fatigue
dr-kathryn-basford.png
Medically reviewed by:
Dr Kathryn Basford Accreditations: MB, ChB, MPH

Dr Kathryn Basford is a qualified GP who works as a GP in London, as well as with ZAVA. She graduated from the University of Manchester and completed her GP training through Whipps Cross Hospital in London.

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Last reviewed: 22 Nov 2018



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