A handshake passes far more germs to another person than a fist bump or a high-five, reveals a new study by scientists at the Aberystwyth University in the UK.
The university’s senior lecturer Dr. Dave Whitworth and PhD student Sara Mela conducted the experiment with the use of rubber gloves and E.coli bacteria in thick layer. The glove was dipped into the bacterial broth for the scientists to use. They then extended their hands for high fives, handshakes and fist bumps, and assessed the quantity of germs transferred among them.
The results of the experiment show that the "transfer of potentially disease-causing bacteria is highest during a handshake." The scientists say the habitual handshaking makes way for movement of bacteria or germs among people.
The strength of the handshake or grip was also examined, and the scientists discovered that the strength defines the amount of germs or bacteria shared among people.
Meanwhile, fist bump has a 90 percent lower chance of potential transfer of germs and high-five reduced the germ transfer by half.
"People rarely think about the health implications of shaking hands. If the general public could be encouraged to fist-bump, there is genuine potential to reduce the spread of infectious diseases," says Dr. Whitworth in a statement.
The scientists believe the speed of the fist bump factors in considerably in its nature to have better hygiene than handshakes and high-fives. Likewise, the fact that a smaller area is involved contributes to such nature as well, lessening the chance for bacteria to spread. For many of the microbes to move, they say direct contact is required.
An associate professor, however, does not find the results "surprising." Mary Lou Manning of the Thomas Jefferson University's school of nursing expresses not being keen on replacing a handshake with a fist bump in the hospital setting.
What people need to do is promote proper hand washing and prohibit hospital greetings through hand-to-hand, suggests Manning. She also says a slight bow or nod is much nicer than a casual fist-bump greeting among health workers and hospital patients.
The fist bump: A more hygienic alternative to the handshake study was said to be inspired by the rising measures, such as keyboard disinfectants and hand sanitizers that intend to promote cleanliness in the workplace. The study will appear in the August 2014 issue of The American Journal of Infection Control.
