Bidwell Health
Online Cold Sore Treatment — $45 Visit
Bidwell offers a $45 online visit for adults ages 18-64 who have already been diagnosed with oral herpes or cold sores. A licensed clinician can review episodic outbreak treatment or prevention options and send antiviral medication to your pharmacy only if clinically appropriate.
Can I get cold sore treatment online?
Yes, if you already know these are cold sores and you do not have red flags. Cold sore patients often need fast access because treatment works best when started early, especially during tingling, burning, or the first sign of a lesion.
What does Bidwell treat?
Bidwell treats recurrent cold sores in adults with a prior diagnosis. The clinician may consider oral valacyclovir depending on your history and what is clinically appropriate. Bidwell is not currently offering acyclovir, famciclovir, or topical acyclovir through this visit.
When should I start medicine for a cold sore?
Antiviral medicine is generally most useful when started as early as possible in an outbreak. Patients often describe a prodrome: tingling, burning, itching, or tenderness before the sore appears. If you are unsure whether this is a cold sore, do not guess; get examined.
Common cold sore dosing fact
For recurrent cold sores in adults, the labeled valacyclovir regimen is 2 g by mouth twice in 1 day, with the two doses taken about 12 hours apart. Bidwell still requires clinician review; the final decision depends on timing, kidney history, medication interactions, pregnancy status, immune-system risk, and whether the symptoms fit a prior diagnosis.
| Use case | Common adult valacyclovir regimen | Why timing matters |
|---|---|---|
| Recurrent cold sore | 2 g twice in 1 day; two doses about 12 hours apart | Best considered at the first warning symptom, before the cold sore is fully developed. |
Who should not use this visit?
Do not use this visit for a first-ever mouth sore, sores near the eye, severe swelling, trouble swallowing, fever with severe illness, immunocompromising conditions, or any lesion you are not sure is oral herpes. Those situations need in-person evaluation.
Does Bidwell offer topical acyclovir cream?
No. Bidwell currently offers valacyclovir only for eligible cold sore visits. Bidwell does not offer topical acyclovir cream through this service.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cold sore the same as herpes?
Cold sores are usually caused by herpes simplex virus, commonly HSV-1.
Can I use this for a new mouth sore?
No. Bidwell requires a prior diagnosis and does not diagnose new sores online.
Does Bidwell sell cold sore medication?
No. Bidwell provides the online visit. Medication is filled at your pharmacy if prescribed.