Tuberculosis in Adolescents

Abstract

The resurgence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States has placed a substantial segment of the adolescent population at high risk, particularly those adolescents residing in metropolitan areas. Physicians providing health care to adolescents must be aware of the risk factors for TB and of the epidemiology of this insidious disease. Active alliances must be established among health-care professionals in the community to ensure effective screening, diagnosis, and treatment programs.