EL PASO, Texas -- This summer doctors at Del Sol Medical Center have been busy treating patients for viral meningitis, and they believe mosquito bites may be to blame.

"Whenever you have an increased amount of water pooling, you see an increase in these kinds of mosquitoes which will transmit the viruses to humans,” said Dr. Jose Crespo of Del Sol Medical Center.

Just last week Teresa Reyes' daughter began with symptoms of meningitis, including a fever and headaches.

"She started throwing up, I would give her water and she just kept throwing it up.” said Reyes .

Even though Payola, Reyes’ daughter, is now recuperating, last week she was very dehydrated and weak, she had to be hospitalized, so doctors could rehabilitate her and do some testing.

One of the tests they performed is the spinal tap test, which several people fear, but Dr. Crespo said it can actually save your life in the long run.

“It's a scary procedure, but it's necessary to be done to be able to distinguish the difference between bacterial and viral meningitis,” Crespo said.

"You get scared and nervous while you’re waiting for the results you think of the worst,” said Reyes.

Without the proper testing doctors are unable to tell which type of meningitis a patient has, and because bacterial meningitis can sometimes have a deadly outcome doctors strongly urge people to get evaluated.

Also, since viral meningitis is easily spread through the air, Reyes said for now, she'll keep her daughter in doors and continue labeling both her daughter and her son’s cups. With more children headed back to school next week, doctors anticipate more cases of viral meningitis.