Caveat doctor! Tuberculosis in physicians

Physicians long have been a high-risk group for developing tuberculosis. The progressive decline in the incidence of tuberculosis in the United States over most of the second half of the 20th century led to less tuberculosis and less awareness of tuberculosis among physicians. Recent changes, however, have led to an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis in the U.S. and may lead to more physicians being affected. Two physicians in Hawaii were diagnosed as having active tuberculosis in 1990. Physicians should take steps to prevent its spread and should consider the disease in the differential diagnosis when physicians or their patients are ill.