A CT scan may be necessary to rule out increased intracranial pressure to ensure the lumbar puncture (LP) can be performed safely, but this should not delay the administration of antibiotics and antiviral medication. It takes time for antibiotics or antiviral medications to penetrate the cerebrospinal fluid, so a lumbar puncture and culture will still be helpful. It would not be appropriate to administer one of the medications but not the other because that gives no advantage. Although every effort should be made to expedite the patient’s CT and LP, the most important intervention is to begin antibiotic and antiviral therapy as soon as possible.