All symptoms point to Meningitis but tests say otherwise

I took my husband to the hospital today after he quickly was getting sick and feeling weak, very high fever, pounding head pain/muscle pain and an unsual rash (similar to the Meningitis rash). At he hospital they got him on 3 litres of fluids and a 24 hour antibiotic. The kidney function/white blood cell count/blood, urine and ECG tests were all normal. We are waiting for the culture to come back in 2 days for results on what virus he is suffering from. My worst fear is meningitis but all tests say otherwise and doctors kept doubting that is what it was. I'm worried sick and can not stop trying to research about this. They did not want to do lumbar puncture because his neck was not sore, but he had every single other symptom in the book. I just want to make sure he is okay. Has anyone else had clear tests until lumbar and then found out it was Meningitis???