Bitcoin System Error: Database I/O error bitcoin

I've been using bitcoin for some time without any issues. However, when I upgraded to 0.8.1 the reindexing took more than the several hours maximum and eventually became stuck with about 160 days without of data to still reindex. The next time I opened it, the splash screen took much longer than usual to open (this had been true since I downloaded the new version) mostly stuck on "reindexing." The other day when it opened it was stuck on 160 days left of reindexing without a single block chain reindexed despite being open the entire day. When I opened it up the next day the splash screen seemed to take even longer than ever and when the client finally opens I get an error that says "Bitcoin System Error: Database I/O error bitcoin." Clicking "OK" is the only option and it immediately closes the program, making the program unusable. I am unsure of what step I should take next and I was wondering if I could get any held on this.