I got my very first cold sore during my trip in New Orleans. But my husband swears by Abreva and I used it and it helped. He says the trick is to apply it every 2-3 hours, and to start immediately upon suspicion of one starting.
Have a great trip, and try not to worry about it!

Seems like a website like WebMD would be more likely to find you an accurate answer then fodors TRAVEL TALK.

TROLL!!!!!! Don;t think so? Then go to the Europe board and read the one about having a cold!

I'm guessing that some doctors may be reluctant to prescribe Zovirax for a cold sore because it's an antiviral, and those medications have lots of side effects. Perhaps the practitioners that are reluctant to prescribe it are thinking that it should only be used in more "serious" situations like genital herpes - it's also prescribed a lot for people with shingles and HIV-related infections. On the other hand, a cold sore can be pretty painful and certainly contagious, so other doctors don't hesitate about prescribing Zovirax. Just a guess, but I'm an RN and have a bit of familiarity with some of these meds.

Meesthare, sounds like an educated and correct guess to me. My physician is extremely conservative and rightly so as medical lawsuits are not only a major problem in America but also a political issue. I can't speak for my doctor but to her, the Zovirax issue may be similar to the anti-biotic overuse - abuse issue.

I heard from a doctor on a morning TV show that cold sores are a form of the herpees virus and have nothing to do with a cold. Watch out for who you kiss.

Meetshare, a cold sore IS herpes. That is why I am curious as to why a physician would be hesitant to prescribe Zorvirax.

It is highly contagious and very painful. If you don't clear them up, they can spread to your face and scar.