My doctor thinks i might have bacterial meningitis. wants more info to confirm, but i am worried. what exactly is it?

Hope Dr got info: Your brain & spinal cord are surrounded by a layer of cushion like material like bubble wrap.These meninges float along within layers of sterile fluid that helps cushion your brain & cord from jaring trauma. If germs get into these layers, they can begin to attack your brain & cause death or permanent damage. The basic confirmatory test is a spinal tap, withdrawing some fluid & looking for germs.

Infected brain liner: It's a bacterial infection of the lining of the brain. A spinal tap must be done to withdraw spinal fluid to diagnose this serious infection, and IV antibiotics and hospitalization are generally required. Regardless of the cause of your symptoms, i hope you have a speedy recovery.

Viral meningitis?: Bacterial meningitis (bm) is a life-threatening infection in the fluid surrounding the brain & spinal cord. Symptoms are sudden onset of fever, headache, stiff neck, vomiting often accompanied by seizures, confusion, & coma. Suspicion of bm, based on history & physical exam mandates immediate diagnostic spinal tap. If you had bm you wouldn't be surfing the internet. Perhaps viral meningitis.