A man complains of sore throat on the left, pain in his left ear, to up to 39°C, and nasal sound of his voice. Disease onset was 5 days ago. Marked trismus and increased salivation are observed. The head tilts to the left shoulder. Left side of the soft palate presents with swelling, hyperemia, and infiltration. Retromandibular lymph nodes on the left are acutely painful on palpation. Otoscopy results are normal. Make the diagnosis: