How much tuberculosis in children must we accept?

Abstract

The closing of the sanatoria and the mainstreaming of tuberculosis patients into society has also led to the illusion that the disease has disappeared. It is possible for tuberculosis patients to blend invisibly into society and avoid the stigma of the disease. Most Americans are in racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic strata that are less commonly afflicted, and they are thus unaware of the continued occurrence of tuberculosis. In view of these factors, maintaining commitment to tuberculosis control efforts can be difficult. Perhaps calling public attention to the problem of tuberculosis in children will help public health officials to obtain commitment for tuberculosis control efforts. Each case of tuberculosis in a child is a failure of the public health establishment to convince society that control of tuberculosis in children is a feasible goal deserving support.