SAN JOSE, Calif. - Sergei Zholtok still does not know what invaded his body and made a mess of things for him and the Wild during the past 10 days. At this point, he doesn't much care.

Whatever the origin or makeup of the mysterious virus, it had run its course by Saturday as Zholtok returned to the lineup against the San Jose Sharks after missing four-plus games because of flu-like symptoms.

"The scariest thing was not knowing. Most of the time, you know what you're fighting. But it was hard for the doctors to tell. I don't have an answer," he said.

During the first period of Minnesota's 1-0 home loss to Buffalo on Jan. 14, Zholtok left the game complaining of dizziness and fatigue. He underwent a battery of tests and spent about 24 hours in the hospital, but doctors could not pinpoint anything serious.

Zholtok was expected to play against Vancouver two days later, but he couldn't shake the symptoms and missed the final two games of the homestand.

The Wild were cautious with Zholtok, who became dehydrated and collapsed during a game against Edmonton last month. He made the trip west this week, but was scratched for games at Anaheim and Los Angeles, and he was placed on the injured-reserve list retroactive to Jan. 14.

Zholtok skated hard after practice Friday and reported no problems after Saturday's morning skate, prompting coach Jacques Lemaire to activate him. It also forced the Wild to clear room on their 23-man roster.