Tuberculosis in the intensive care unit

The overwhelming majority of patients infected with tuberculosis may be very adequately treated without hospitalization on an out-patient basis. Until tuberculosis is completely eradicated, however, some patients with extensive disease will require hospitalization for diagnosis and the institution of appropriate chemotherapy. A minority of these who are desperately ill and require admission to an intensive care unit may still recover by the prompt diagnosis of the illness, appropriate supportive care, and the rapid institution of appropriate antituberculous chemotherapy.