How do I combat this very common situation?

[whittiphil]

No reads usually, but a very common situation.

Hero gets dealt 44 in EP. One MP raiser, two callers (one LP) including Hero. Pot is $8 going to the flop

flop Q T 7. Hero checks, MP bets $3, LP folds, Hero ???

What does a $3 bet mean???? Do I raise? What if he calls? Do I call? Do I fold? Usually I end up folding..