Missouri health officials say there are steps you can take to keep from getting the Swine Flu and steps you should take if you have the flu.
The State Health Department reports Swine Flu is transmitted from person to person through coughing and sneezing. Symptoms include all those you normally associated with the flu: fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some have reported diarrhea and vomiting.
State Epidemiologist, Dr. Sarah Patrick, has advice for those who get the flu.
"Stay home to take care of yourself if you are ill or your family members (are ill)," advises Patrick. "Make sure that you are not exposing other people when you are ill."
State Health Director Margaret Donnelly says two cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Missouri. Six other cases are probable. She says it is the test that determines if a person has it.
"You have the same sort of flu-like symptoms that you would have with what we call seasonal influenza," says Donnelly. "It is the testing in the laboratory that distinguishes the strain as the new, novel H1N1 2009 virus."
The Centers for Disease Control report 225 cases of Swine Flu in 30 states.