Dear Phyllys, Thanks for a question that is again in my field!!! Several comments are needed to clarify the issues!!! 1. Salmonella is transmitted usually from person to person (fecal contamination hand to mouth type). People can be carriers and shed Salmonella in their stools without beeing sick. If they dont whash their hands well after bathroom they can contaminate others (particular problem for restaurant employees). That probably how the baby got it. It is true that chickens can lay contaminated eggs. This should apply to a well cooked easter egg tough!!!! Heat destroys salmonella! 2. Our recommendations are to treat all babies less than 6 months because they tend to have disseminated disease (in other places than the bowel) and can die from it. Older kids and adults with uncomplicated gi problems are usually not treated because it tends to increase the number of people who carry the bug but are not sick. If a child has a more severe illness then it is customary to treat even if older than 3 months. 3. If treatment is needed, appropriated antibiotics is the best (usually somthing like Trim-sulfa or ampicillin). Diarrhea is NOT treated by eliminating food!!!!!!!!! I use pedialyte and related fluids to treat dehydration but I also continue to feed infants and children in addition to these fluids. It is well documented in the litterature that infants and children do better faster if you keep feeding. For more info on the topic I wrote an article summarizing this info for BF abstracts. Should come out any time. I can send you a copy + references if youre interested. Hope this info helps Maryelle Vonlanthen, MD Little Rock AR The GI hot-line