Jackson Suffering From Viral Infection

Michael Jackson is suffering from a viral infection and had been ill for a week or more before he collapsed during a rehearsal this week, a doctor said Friday.

Dr. William Alleyne said diarrhea from the infection led to severe dehydration, which in turn brought on an irregular heartbeat.

Jackson remained in the intensive care unit at Beth Israel Medical Center. His personal physician, Dr. Allan Metzger, said he could be hospitalized for at least another week.

Metzger said the singer’s condition was “serious but I wouldn’t characterize it as life-threatening.” He was listed as serious but stable.