Sore throat is a condition caused by viral or bacterial infections like cold or flu that lead to an inflammation in the pharynx (back of the throat). Other than cold and fever, the symptoms of sore throat also include blocked ears, nasal congestion, chest congestion, pain while swallowing, and laryngitis. The lymph glands of a person suffering from sore throat will be tender and will hurt when touched. The back of the throat will redden and will also be covered with a grayish membrane. The patient sometimes also loses his voice for a couple of days.

Sore throat usually gets cured in a week's time. There are many ways to get relief from sore throat and blocked ears. Sipping on warm water several times a day is beneficial in getting rid of the ailment. One can also add a pinch of salt to a cup of warm water and gargle with it at least thrice a day. Products like lime, honey, and ginger treat viral infections effectively. For ear blockage, you can heat a few cloves of garlic in coconut or mustard oil, set the oil aside to cool, and instill two drops in the blocked ear. Heating a small amount of olive oil, instilling in the ear, and sleeping with the ear facing the roof for five minutes also helps. Steeping one teaspoon of chamomile or ginger root tea in a cup of boiling water, and having it when warm, brings relief from sore throat. You can also try this remedy: cut a lemon into two pieces. Take one half and put salt and black pepper on it; shove it deep into the lemon with the help of a knife. Heat the lemon a bit and suck on it to get rid of sore throat and cold.

When suffering from blocked ears and sore throat, the patient needs to keep cold foods and foods with cold propensity like cucumber, banana, water melon, and grapes at bay. It's also important to keep one's ears covered or plugged with cotton balls to prevent worsening of the condition as the viruses enter the system through ears. Eat a healthy and balanced diet and avoid fried food as much as possible. Foods with Vitamin C especially help in treating the problem effectively. Chewing on two cloves of garlic everyday will prevent the viruses and bacteria from attacking and causing cold and sore throat as garlic has antiviral and antibacterial properties.