My 41 Year Old Son With A Hx Of Viral

My 41 year old son with a hx of viral meningitis from 2007 now has tingling in the lower back, a cough and a fever that has been on and off for the past 4 days. Today it hit 104. He has gone to the ER and to his own PCP but no one has suggested a tap and/or stronger meds. Can me give me a picture of what might be going on in his body. He is stubborn and tends not to listen to me.