Annual Conference on Bacterial, Viral and Infectious Diseases

Tuberculosis has recently re-emerged as a significant health concern. Each year, just about 2 million people worldwide die of T.B. and 9 million people become infected. Within the united states, about 14000 cases of T.B. was reported in 2006, a 3.2% decline from the previous year; but, 20 states and the District of Columbia had higher rates. The prevalence of T.B. is continuing to increase because of the increased count of patients infected with human immunological disorder, viruses, microorganism resistance to medications, enhanced international travel and immigration from countries with high prevalence, and the growing numbers of the homeless and drug abusers. With 2 billion persons, a third of the world population,1 estimated to be infected with Mycobacteria, all nurses, despite area of care, must be compelled to understand the pathophysiology, clinical options, and procedures for identification of T.B. The vulnerability of hospitalized patients to TB is usually under recogni