MADISON, Wis. -- It's has been one of the worst years on record for high levels of blue-green algae in Madison lakes and one Madison woman found out the hard way.

VIDEO: Watch The Report | SLIDESHOW:View Images Of Blue-Green Algae On Lake Mendota

Brianne Schuetz is finally able to stand and watch her brother and sister play. On Sunday, she could barely get out of bed.

"The rash was just all over, and I couldn't breathe," Schuetz said. "I was really short of breath, my joints hurt -- I was just in pain, my stomach hurt, felt like I had to throw up the whole day."

Schuetz swam at the University of Wisconsin's Memorial Union on Thursday night with friends. She said there were no warning signs posted.

About a day later, she developed a rash and started feeling sick. Three days later, she found out that she was likely poisoned from blue-green algae in the lake.

Kirsti Sorsa from the city-county health department said if Schuetz's case is verified, it would be the fourth case this year. Since 2005, only one case has been reported in Dane County.

"Nobody knows really how those and when those blooms produce toxins," Sorsa said. "They're not always toxic."

Blue-green algae is a bacteria that feeds on nutrients, heat and stagnant water, WISC-TV reported.

Sorsa said that flooding during the last few months is likely why there's a surge in blue-green blooms this year.

Schuetz, who said that she still isn't feeling well, hopes her story will encourage others to be more aware of where they're swimming.

"Just be careful and watch the water," Schuetz said. "You're not going to expect something like this to happen. Even if it's not reported, just watch out and make sure you don't run into a situation like I have.”

UW officials said a warning sign has been posted at Memorial Union for the last month, but the sign is stolen fairly regularly, which is why Schuetz and her group of friends likely didn't see a sign.

The city's beach remains open. In fact, all beaches in Madison are officially open.

Officials said that doctors recommend that people who do come into contact with blue-green algae to wash themselves thoroughly and see a doctor right away if they start feeling ill.

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Visit the city's Web site for updates on which beaches are open and which are closed because of blue-green algae.