What symptom commonly accompanies a peritonsillar abscess?

Severe ear pain is a common symptom associated with a peritonsillar abscess due to the anatomical connections and nerve pathways in the head and neck region. The pain often radiates from the throat, where the infection is localized, to the ear because of shared nerve pathways, particularly the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves. This referred pain can be quite intense and is characteristic of the condition.

In the context of a peritonsillar abscess, other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, skin rash, and headache might occur but are less directly linked to the primary issue of a throat infection leading to an abscess. Difficulty breathing could occur in severe cases but is not as ubiquitous or classic a symptom of a peritonsillar abscess. A skin rash is not typically associated with this type of infection, and while headaches can occur in various infections, they are not a hallmark sign of a peritonsillar abscess specifically. Thus, severe ear pain stands out as a significant indicator that is commonly observed in patients suffering from this condition.