What To Do If You Have Cold Sores in Koh Tao

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Illustration depicting a young woman in a casual outfit, engaged with her smartphone. She has a pleasant expression, suggesting as she is quickly booking a telehealth consultation through Doctorsa
Virtual visit starting at

$20

Get immediate care for your cold sores while traveling in Koh Tao

cold sores-doctor-Koh Tao

How I Got Rid of Cold Sores Without Leaving My Hotel in Koh Tao

06/05/2025

Key Points

  1. Book Early to Stay Ahead: If you feel a tickle in your throat or a bit under the weather, don’t let it slide. Secure an online prescription with a doctor right away. The ease of accessing a doctor through your phone or laptop means you can catch issues before they snowball into something more serious, especially if you're searching for cold sores medicine in Koh Tao.
  2. Embrace Online Consultations: Trust in the efficiency of online medical consultations. They can save you from the hassle of finding a local clinic, especially when you're somewhere remote or touristy like Koh Tao. If you need medication for cold sores or just peace of mind, it’s comforting to discuss your symptoms in English, especially when you're not fluent in the local language.
  3. Avoid the Clinic Hustle: Skip local clinics for minor health issues to dodge long lines and potential language barriers. A quick online chat with a doctor can often set you on the right path without the fuss, helping you learn how to get rid of cold sores fast with an online doctor prescription.


My nose wouldn’t stop running, and my head felt like it was packed with cotton—classic cold symptoms, right? Except, I was on Koh Tao, not exactly the place where I wanted to hunt down a pharmacy, much less deal with healthcare logistics in Thai. It was one of those moments where you just want your bed and some peace, not a long trek across the island.

The thought of trying to explain my symptoms in broken Thai was enough to make me want to curl up under the covers and wait it out. But the idea of ruining my entire trip over something as small as cold sores didn’t sit well either, especially when I knew I needed cold sores medicine in Koh Tao.

That's when a fellow traveler mentioned Doctorsa. I was skeptical—could an online consultation really handle this? But I was desperate to enjoy my holiday. Logging onto Doctorsa, I was blown away by how straightforward it was. Within minutes, I was speaking with an English-speaking doctor who put me at ease instantly. No waiting room, no language mishaps—just professional advice and a prescription sent to my inbox.

A little humor goes a long way too, and this doc had it. We joked about the joys of traveling and getting sick, and that lightened the mood considerably. The online prescription was swift, and I had what I needed to get back to my island adventures in no time. Doctorsa wasn’t just a service; it was a lifesaver, letting me bypass the headache of a foreign healthcare system and get back to enjoying my trip.

See a cold sores doctor for a fast treatment in Koh Tao

Starting from

$20 video visit and prescription
  •  

Availability

24/7 for urgent Cold Sores TREATMENT online
  •  

Response time

5 mins for ONLINE Cold Sores TREATMENT
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How does it work?

99% of our users solve their issue within 1 hour. No waiting, no language barriers, no insurance needed.

Answer a few questions

Just answer a few questions about your cold sores and choose a convenient time for your online session. It’s simple and hassle-free, with no need to sign up.

Select and connect

Doctors respond in minutes. Select your preferred one and start your virtual consultation right from your web browser.

7-day free follow-up chat

Reach out to your doctor with any questions you might have, at no extra cost for 7 days following your consultation.

A Tourist’s Guide to Medical Care in Koh Tao

Online Consultations:

Great for minor but urgent issues that don’t need a physical exam, such as cold sores or related symptoms.

With Doctorsa you can connect with an English-speaking doctor via video call in just a few minutes, get medical advice and, if appropriate, receive an e-prescription that can be used at any pharmacy. No need to worry about office hours or holidays. Clear and upfront pricing: consultations start at $20, so tourists in Koh Tao needing treatment for cold sores can access affordable healthcare without surprises. Insurances accepted but not required.

Learn more about cold sores treatment online.

Hospitals in Koh Tao

For serious, potentially life-threatening issues that require immediate, specialized treatment, like breathing difficulties, severe bleeding, or head injuries. Non-urgent visits use up resources needed for emergency patients. ERs are for serious, life-threatening issues. Going there for something like cold sores adds to doctors’ workload and may take time away from those in critical need.

Important: The information provided here about hospitals is for general reference only. We recommend verifying current details, such as contact information, services, and hours of operation, before visiting. Please reach out directly to the hospital or consult their official website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Hospitals with Emergency Rooms in Koh Tao

Koh Tao Hospital
Address: Mae Haad, Koh Tao, Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
Access: Walk-in available; emergency number: 66 77 456 490
Description: The main government hospital on Koh Tao, offering 24/7 emergency services. It is equipped with X-ray facilities, a testing laboratory, and provides services such as minor surgeries, dental care, and prenatal services. The hospital also facilitates medical evacuations by speedboat or helicopter to larger hospitals on Koh Samui or the mainland if necessary. Learn more

Ocean Medical Clinic
Address: 1/53 Moo 2, Mae Haad (Pier), Koh Tao, Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
Access: Walk-in available; emergency hotline: 66 92 397 6636
Description: A private clinic offering comprehensive medical services, including emergency care, wound care, minor surgery, and diving medicine with a hyperbaric chamber. The clinic operates daily from 09:00 to 21:00 and partners with international insurance providers. Learn more

Thai Inter Medical Clinic
Address: 2/80 Moo 2, Koh Tao, Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
Access: Walk-in available; emergency number: 66 77 332 511
Description: A 24-hour clinic providing both emergency and non-emergency medical services, including blood tests, STD testing, and treatment for diving-related illnesses. The clinic is part of the Thai International Hospital network and offers assistance with insurance claims. Learn more

Popular Services in Koh Tao

Walk-in clinics

Best for minor conditions needing same-day, in-person specialist attention—like X-rays for sprains or cuts that may need stitches, injections, advanced diagnostics, or other invasive procedures.

Pharmacies in Koh Tao, Thailand

In Koh Tao, pharmacies are concentrated in popular areas like Mae Haad and Sairee. They feature English signage and often provide basic medical support for tourists.

Antibiotic Policy in Koh Tao

In Koh Tao, pharmacists often sell antibiotics without a prescription despite official regulations requiring one.

Emergency Number in Koh Tao

The emergency number for Koh Tao is 1669. This number connects you directly to an ambulance service for urgent medical assistance, including life-threatening situations such as accidents, heart attacks, or other critical health emergencies.

When you call 1669, you will be asked to provide essential information such as your location, the nature of the emergency, and any medical details that may help responders prepare the necessary equipment and care. Emergency medical services are available 24/7 throughout the island.

Remember, this number should only be used in life-threatening situations. For urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns, telehealth services like Doctorsa are better suited for providing guidance and support.

Online Care vs. Emergency Room for Cold Sores treatment in Koh Tao

 

ONLINE DOCTOR FOR Cold Sores
ProsCons
Low cost (avg. $25 for cold sores) Not for life-threatening situations.
Quick response (avg. 5 mins) 
✅ 24/7/365 availability 
✅ cold sores prescription online 
✅ English-speaking doctors 
✅ Free 7-day follow-up via chat 

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL FOR Cold Sores
ProsCons
365/24/7 availability Long wait times for simple cold sores cases
  Difficulty communicating
  Risk of airborne diseases
  No follow-up
  Higher costs

Your questions answered

Getting tablets for cold sores in Koh Tao can be straightforward with Doctorsa. Instead of navigating healthcare in Thailand, you can connect with a licensed English-speaking doctor online through our telehealth platform in minutes. They’ll assess your symptoms via a virtual consultation and, if appropriate, provide a digital prescription you can use at a local pharmacy. It’s fast, hassle-free, and designed for people who need urgent care without the stress. Experience the convenience of telemedicine with Doctorsa today and get the care you need right from your smartphone!

The rules for getting this medication can differ from place to place. If you’re not sure about the specifics in Thailand, it’s a good idea to speak with a doctor for accurate information and guidance. If you need to get the medication right away, you can easily talk to an English-speaking doctor online through Doctorsa. They can answer your questions and get you a prescription quickly, if needed.

Sure, some minor issues might get better on their own, but it’s always a bit of a gamble. Sometimes you’ll be fine, but other times ignoring a problem can lead to bigger issues or a longer recovery. For example, letting cold sores go untreated can make things a lot worse. A lot of travelers put off seeing a doctor because it just feels like too much trouble—especially somewhere unfamiliar. But with Doctorsa, there’s no need to wait or take any chances. You can connect with an English-speaking doctor in minutes, get the treatment you need, and even have prescriptions sent right to you. It’s quick, easy, and designed to take the stress out of healthcare, even when you’re far from home. Why hope for the best when getting help is this simple?

Open the intake form and choose one of the following options:

  • Urgent Care: For immediate treatment of your cold sores via virtual care.
  • Set Up an Appointment: To schedule a same-day or future appointment.
 

Next, select how you would like to receive appointment offers from doctors.
We recommend using WhatsApp as it is faster and more reliable. You will quickly receive various visit options. Choose the one that suits you best and proceed to online payment.

Video visits are browser-based, so no apps are needed. Simply click the link you receive to start your video visit in your browser.

After the consultation, you’ll receive an invoice and, if appropriate, an e-prescription via email. Depending on the location, you can show or print the prescription to purchase medication at your preferred pharmacy.

Learn more about how to see a doctor in Thailand as a foreigner

Following the consultation, if appropriate for your case, the doctor will either email the e-prescription to you or send it directly to the pharmacy. You can then either print it out or show it to the pharmacist when purchasing the medication.

It’s important to understand that doctors must responsibly evaluate each case individually. They can’t simply prescribe medication solely based on a patient’s request or a recommendation from another doctor without confirming that it’s suitable for the patient’s specific condition.

Prices vary depending on the provider since they compete to offer you a fair rate. On average, an online doctor visit costs around $25. In-person appointments, specialists, and lab work have different prices depending on the city. When you send a request you can choose the provider that suits you best but there’s no obligation to book.

Keep in mind that the consultation fee doesn’t include medication. The good news is that common antibiotics are generally affordable throughout Europe, usually between $5 and $15.

Absolutely! As soon as you send in your request, it’s instantly received by the doctors who are on duty at that moment. It doesn’t matter if it’s late at night, early on a Sunday morning, or even on July 12th when Koh Tao celebrates the Koh Tao Festival—there’s always someone ready to help. When you get an appointment option, just remember that a real doctor has seen your request and is ready to assist you.

You can message your physician with follow-up questions at no additional cost for up to 7 days after the video visit.

More questions?

Check out the Help Center to learn more.
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