AUBURN - The winter season in Cayuga County can be hard to swallow - particularly if you are suffering from a sore throat. And, according to two area professionals, this is turning out to be a “good” year for those.

“Almost all colds are accompanied by a sore throat,” said general practitioner Dr. Charles Keenen, of Auburn. “Two years ago we had virtually nothing; last year was a little above average - this year it looks like the instances of colds will be above last year. Over the last three or four weeks there has been a big increase.”

Why? The number one reason, according to Keenen, is due to the nice weather we've been enjoying recently.

“When you have a cold, a brisk winter the viruses don't survive,” he explained. “When you have a stretch of warm weather, followed by cold and then warm again, when it never really locks into winter they do.”

Al Liddiard, pharmacist with Eckerd Drugs in Auburn said he's been busy this year as well.

“We've had a lot of colds and they're very severe, with a lot of severe coughing and nasal and chest congestion,” he said.

What is the magic that makes a sore throat come from a cold? There can be a number of variables responsible, according to Keenen.

“It can be a direct result of the virus irritating different cells. A secondary cause can be post nasal drip, the contact of which can cause irritation. Also, when the swelling that occurs causes pressure, that is interpreted as pain,” he said.

While the doctor recommends Dimetapp Cold and Allergy as a good over-the-counter medicine, he is exasperated with Robitusson DM.

“I'm surprised they make such a thing, but people take it,” he said, explaining that mixing a cough suppressant with an expectorant is not only a contradiction, but ridiculous.

His remedy for sore throat relief is a tea.

“It's called Throat Coat Tea,” said the doctor. “It's fantastic.”

The general rule for how long to wait to see a physician is seven days, Keenen said. Sore throats on average last two days, while coughs can linger for up to two weeks.

A second opinion is slightly different.

“If it's a cold I'm very old school, there's no reason to see a doctor,” Liddiard said. “If it becomes a flu, then you should go. People with a flu usually run a temperature.”

Jennefier Weeks, of Moravia, said she's been lucky so far this year.

“Last year I had two (colds.) I take Tylenol Cold and Sinus,” she said, adding, “I don't go to the doctors, because they're usually gone within two weeks.”

Jackie Van Doren, of Cato, has her own home remedies to combat a cold, which she very rarely gets.

“If I have a sore throat I chew an aspirin and spread Ben Gay on my throat. For a cough, I take a tablespoon of honey,” she said. “You should try it, it works.”

How long before she visits a doctor?

“I don't,” she said.