TeleTest.ca
TeleTest.ca
Get a prescription for cold sores or genital herpes without the clinic visit. Shorten your outbreak, reduce discomfort, and protect your partners.
Get treated without leaving home
Answer questions about your symptoms and medical history. Takes 3-5 minutes.
A licensed Canadian physician reviews your information and confirms your treatment plan.
Prescription sent to your pharmacy. Pick up same day or get delivery.
Answer questions about your symptoms and medical history. Takes 3-5 minutes.
A licensed Canadian physician reviews your information and confirms your treatment plan.
Prescription sent to your pharmacy. Pick up same day or get delivery.
Patients with a confirmed physician diagnosis or prior treatment history are typically approved within 90 minutes during operating hours (9AM–9PM, 7 days a week).
Takes ~5 minutes
Choose the approach that fits your life
TeleTest isn't a "telehealth app" — we're a licensed Canadian medical clinic providing discreet herpes treatment since 2021. Our clinicians are registered with the applicable provincial regulatory colleges that oversee medical practice where they provide care.
All clinicians are registered with their applicable provincial regulatory college
Your health data is protected under provincial privacy legislation (PHIPA in Ontario, PIPA in BC)
Trusted by 50,000+ patients across Ontario, BC, and Alberta since 2021
No video calls, no waiting rooms — completely private consultations
All are Health Canada approved antivirals for treating HSV-1 and HSV-2
Most commonly prescribed. Converts to acyclovir in the body with better absorption — fewer pills per day.
First choice for most patientsThe original antiviral for herpes. Effective but requires more frequent dosing. Most affordable option.
Cost-effective choiceAlternative antiviral with similar effectiveness. Good option if you've had side effects with others.
Alternative optionMost commonly prescribed. Better absorption — fewer pills per day.
First choiceThe original antiviral. Effective but requires more frequent dosing. Most affordable.
Cost-effectiveAlternative antiviral. Good if you've had side effects with others.
AlternativeHealth Canada approved dosing for Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, and Famciclovir
Cold sores: Apply 5 times daily for 4 days
Genital: Apply 6 times daily for 7 days
Request ZoviraxOTC option for cold sores only
Less effective than prescription antivirals
Pro tip: Oral antivirals are generally more effective than topicals. Topical creams work best when combined with oral medication, not as a replacement.
Most people tolerate these medications well. Side effects are usually mild and go away on their own. Common side effects include:
These are rare but serious. Contact a doctor right away if you experience:
Drinking plenty of water while taking antivirals helps your kidneys process the medication. This is especially important if you're taking higher doses or have any kidney concerns.
Daily medication to prevent outbreaks and reduce transmission
Suppressive therapy means taking a low dose of antiviral medication every day — not just during outbreaks. By keeping the medication in your system continuously, it prevents the virus from reactivating, which means fewer outbreaks and lower transmission risk to partners. It's safe for long-term use and can be stopped anytime without rebound effects.
Reduction in symptomatic outbreaks
Reduction in transmission to partners
For long-term daily use in healthy adults
If you're starting suppressive therapy before a new relationship, research suggests it takes approximately 5 days of daily antiviral use to achieve suppression of viral shedding. Similarly, shedding may return within 5 days of stopping therapy.
Source: Journal of Infectious Diseases — Discuss timing with your physician to determine what's appropriate for your situation.
Yes. Many people take suppressive therapy for 6-12 months, then stop to see if outbreaks have naturally decreased. Herpes outbreaks typically become less frequent over time. You can always restart if needed — there's no "rebound" effect from stopping.
Tired of frequent outbreaks? Ask about daily suppressive therapy.
Request Daily Suppressive TherapyThe facts you need to know
HSV-1 typically causes cold sores. HSV-2 typically causes genital herpes. But either type can infect either location.
Most people don't know they have it — symptoms are often mild or absent. When they appear, expect blisters or sores that heal in 2–4 weeks.
The virus stays inactive in nerve cells and can reactivate. Antivirals make outbreaks shorter, less severe, and less frequent.
Select a condition to learn more
Fluid-filled blisters on or around the lips and mouth. You often feel tingling, itching, or burning before they appear.
Antivirals shorten outbreaks by 1-2 days when started at first tingle. Many keep meds on hand.
Painful blisters or ulcers in the genital/anal area. Many people have no noticeable symptoms — the virus can spread even without visible sores.
First outbreaks are most severe. Recurrences become less frequent. Suppressive therapy reduces outbreaks by 70-80%.
Also called "wrestler's herpes" or "mat herpes" — spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during wrestling, rugby, MMA, and other contact sports.
Beyond medication: practical tips for comfort and faster healing
Sexual contact (including oral) until sores are completely healed. Sharing towels or razors.
Currently dealing with an outbreak?
Get Treatment Now — Most Approved in 90 MinutesLocation doesn't define the virus — here's what really matters
While HSV-1 traditionally causes oral herpes and HSV-2 causes genital herpes, either type can infect either location. In fact, HSV-1 is now the leading cause of new genital herpes cases in young adults — typically transmitted through oral sex. The virus type matters more for predicting recurrence patterns than for determining treatment.
How you likely got it: Often in childhood from a parent's kiss or shared drink during an active cold sore
How you likely got it: Sexual contact in adulthood; 2x more common in women
Good news: The same antiviral medications (Valacyclovir, Acyclovir, Famciclovir) work equally well for both HSV-1 and HSV-2, regardless of location.
This service is designed for people in these situations
You've been told you have herpes by a doctor, or had a positive swab test. You know what your outbreaks feel like.
You're experiencing symptoms right now — tingling, sores, or discomfort — and want to start treatment quickly.
You get frequent outbreaks and want daily medication to reduce them, or you want to protect a partner.
You've taken these medications before and just need a prescription renewal without the clinic visit.
You'd rather handle this from home than have an awkward conversation at a walk-in clinic.
You don't have time to wait for a doctor's appointment. Complete your assessment in 5 minutes, get treated same day.
Interested in comprehensive STI testing? We offer full STI panels including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, and more. Learn about STI testing →
Have more questions? Our clinicians are here to help.
Ask a Physician — $49Based on research from provincial public health authorities, PHAC, and WHO
of Canadians under 50 have HSV-1
of Canadians aged 14-59 have HSV-2
of people with herpes are undiagnosed
more common in women than men (HSV-2)
Sources: WHO Global Herpes Report 2022, PHAC STI Surveillance, provincial public health authorities
PCR swabs are the most accurate — blood tests have limitations
Because the swab is taken directly from the sore, we know exactly where your infection is:
Blood tests detect antibodies your immune system made — not the virus itself:
Go while you have an active sore — swab works best within 72 hours
Request an HSV IgG blood test — done at your local lab, results uploaded to your patient portal.
Request HSV Blood Test — $49Herpes carries more social stigma than medical significance. The reality is that it's an extremely common, manageable condition that rarely causes serious health problems in healthy adults.
More than 1 in 6 Canadians has genital herpes. People with herpes lead completely normal lives with relationships, families, and careers unaffected by their diagnosis.
Many couples where one partner has herpes and the other doesn't remain together for years without transmission, especially with suppressive therapy and safe practices.
With antiviral medication, you can reduce outbreak frequency by up to 80% and cut transmission risk in half. Many people on suppressive therapy rarely if ever have outbreaks.
The emotional impact of diagnosis often outweighs the physical. If you're struggling, know that feelings of shame or anxiety are common — and they do get better with time.
Both partners can get blood testing — even if one person has never had symptoms. If you're both positive for the same strain, you may not need suppressive therapy to prevent transmission. Many people carry herpes antibodies without ever experiencing symptoms in their lifetime.
No provincial health insurance? No problem. TeleTest provides healthcare to anyone in Ontario, BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan — including visitors, tourists, international students, and those waiting for provincial coverage to start.
See all services for visitors
We understand herpes can feel stigmatizing. Your consultation is completely confidential and your information stays between you and your physician.
Don't let herpes disrupt your life. Get treated quickly and privately — most prescriptions are authorized within 90 minutes.
Start Your Consultation — $49