About 8 million new TB cases and 2 million TB deaths occur each year in the world. Over 15,000
cases are reported in the United States in 2002. There are also an estimated 10 to 15 million
people in the U.S. who are infected with the TB germ, with potential to develop TB disease in the future.
Anyone can get TB, but some people are at higher risk. Those at higher risk
include:
People who share the same breathing space (such as family members, friends,
co-workers) with someone who has TB disease
Foreign-born people form countries where a lot of people have TB
Homeless people
Nursing home residents
Prisoners
Alcoholics and intravenous drug users (IVDUs)
People with medical conditions such as diabetes, certain types of cancers,
and being underweight; and especially
People with HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS).
