In the midst of cold and flu season, sore throats can be a real pain in the butt. There are so many sore throat remedies on the market, it's hard to figure out which ones to use. So how do you cure a sore throat? Taking care of a sore throat at home is simple. There are a few proven methods of relieving the discomfort a sore throat can bring. One of those is hot tea with honey. Other people swear by cold liquids to help alleviate a sore throat. Still others insist that gargling with warm salt water wards off the pain. No matter which of the sore throat treatments you choose, as long as you are coating your throat with something you should feel better. Whether it's warm liquid, cold liquid or medicated drops, just the process of swallowing seems to make the worst of the pain subside. Of course, if your sore throat is particularly painful, use a over the counter medicine such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen and see a doctor right away.

Why do we get sore throats? Most sore throats are caused by a virus which can't be treated with antibiotics. Most of us know that a virus has to run its course. Isn't that what the doctor seems to always say? It takes a virus between 7 and 10 days to "run its course" although your symptoms such as a sore throat will probably last less than that.

If the sore throat lasts longer than a week, mononucleosis may be the reason and you should see a doctor. Strep Throat is another dangerous virus that calls for a visit to the doctor. Strep throat can be seen as white dots in the back of your throat. It is very painful and can lead to scarlet fever and many other dangerous health problems. See your doctor right away if you suspect your sore throat is cause by strep.

Some of the more unique sore throat treatments include gargling pomegranate juice, drinking a tea made from mango bark, gargling a mixture prepared from fenugreek seeds and using the herb belleric myroblan to make a tea. Whichever sore throat remedy you try, make sure to drink lots of fluids and get a lot of rest. See your doctor if your symptoms worsen o last too long. After you've tried all the home remedies for sore throats, sometimes the best treatment for a sore throat is a trip to the doctor.