Tuberculosis has once again become a leading healthcare problem. Despite the increasing knowledge and profile of this disease, many nurses are unclear about the disease process, transmission, and the measures used to control and prevent tuberculosis. Nurses may also be unaware of the contribution they could make to the management of the disease at local level. This article provides an update on the nature of the disease and gives an overview of the current problems associated with tuberculosis. It also discusses the potential role that nurses working in the community have in the control and prevention of tuberculosis.