Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, and remains a major cause of poverty and mortality throughout the world. Diagnosis of active TB requires demonstration of the pathogen by acid‐fast stained smears, culture of the organism, or amplification of specific DNA. The treatment of pulmonary TB has been subjected to numerous randomized clinical trials, primarily in high‐prevalence countries, although no systematic review of such trials was identified. The aim of treatment is to prevent transmission, cure patients, prevent relapses, and avert deaths. Treatment of latent TB infection (LTBI) is the strategy of treating asymptomatic infected patients to prevent future active TB. In HIV, where risk of activation of LTBI is high and diagnosis of LTBI is difficult, continuous isoniazid (INH) prophylaxis has been recommended. Childhood immunization with BCG has been studied in three meta‐analyses, which pooled both randomized controlled trials and case‐control studies.