What should be done if a pulmonary tuberculosis cavity fails to close?

Pulmonary tuberculosis cavities that fail to close require measures such as extending the standardized treatment course, adjusting sensitive drug combinations, intensifying anti-tuberculosis treatment regimens, managing complications symptomatically, and enhancing nutritional support to boost immunity. Continuous interventions are necessary to promote cavity healing. If cavities remain unhealed for a prolonged period or the condition worsens, timely evaluation at an infectious disease department is essential.

1. Extended standardized treatment course: Based on disease progression and follow-up examination results, appropriately extend the duration of anti-tuberculosis therapy under medical guidance to ensure full effectiveness of medications and gradual clearance of lesions, thereby promoting cavity closure.

2. Adjusting sensitive drug combinations: Conduct sputum culture and drug susceptibility testing to identify effective drugs, replace resistant ones, or add effective agents to optimize the treatment regimen and improve bactericidal efficacy.

3. Intensified anti-tuberculosis treatment regimen: Implement an intensive-phase treatment strategy by increasing drug dosage or shortening dosing intervals to enhance anti-tuberculosis effects and accelerate cavity repair.

4. Symptomatic management of complications: In cases of concurrent infections, hemoptysis, or other complications, promptly administer treatments such as anti-infective therapy or hemostasis to control secondary issues and create favorable conditions for cavity healing.

5. Enhanced nutritional support to improve immunity: Ensure adequate intake of high-protein, high-calorie, and high-vitamin foods to strengthen the body's resistance and enhance its ability to clear *Mycobacterium tuberculosis*, thus supporting cavity healing.

In daily life, maintain regular作息 (sleep-wake cycles), avoid staying up late, quit smoking and alcohol to reduce pulmonary irritation, engage in moderate gentle exercises to improve physical fitness, keep living environments well-ventilated and dry, and avoid overexertion and cold exposure to provide a favorable physiological foundation for cavity healing.