The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to public and professional education about infectious diseases, to infectious disease prevention, and to the support of infectious disease research. NFID has been in existence since 1973. In that brief period of time NFID has become the national voice for recognition and prevention of infectious diseases. Infectious diseases are growing in importance in the United States and abroad. Since the initial epidemic of Legionnaire's disease in Philadelphia in 1976 there has been a steady increase in infectious diseases in this country. One can read in the paper nearly every day about new infectious disease threats or old ones that are once more threatening the health of the public in our country. The NFID Board of Directors reviews current trends and votes annually on the top ten infectious disease problems in our country. This list establishes a priority for national concerns.