Question: Hi. My 17 year old daughter had her tonsils and adenoids removed 2 days ago. Surgery went well (doctor said her tonsils and adenoids were large with some infection when he removed them) and recovery is going as expected. No nausea or vomiting. The doctor prescribed her pain meds (hydrocodone/Tylenol), he prescribed her an antibiotic, and he prescribed her prednisolone to take twice daily. My question is regarding the steroid and antibiotic. She had a reaction to the steroid last night, face became very red and flushed. Also in the past when taking steroids she had horrible headaches. I did not give her the prednisolone last night and I would like to NOT give it to her any more. Also, after doing research on the internet, I found that it is now recommended that antibiotics NOT be prescribed after a tonsillectomy as they found no benefit. Before she saw the ENT and as a result the surgery, her pediatrician had given her over the course of 6 months 4 different antibiotics trying to get rid of her tonsillitis (strep was negative all times) and I am concerned about her becoming antibiotic resistant. So I would like to discontinue the steroid and antibiotics. I wanted to get the opinion from an ENT doctor. I know I could call her doctors office but I would only get the nurse not the doctor and I am concerned since the doctor is older (in his 60's) that he will say take the antibiotic because that is what he has always done. Thanks.

I decided to call the doctors office and the nurse called me back. She said we could discontinue the steroid, and that the antibiotic is routinely given in case any bacteria was "stirred up" during the procedure. As a doctor, in your opinion, should my daughter keep taking the antibiotic. I understand it will be your opinion only and I still should go by what her surgeon says.