A good firm handshake can say a lot about your personality, not to mention leaving a decent first impression. But basic hygiene practices could change all that.
A study published in the American Journal of Infection Control has found the traditional greeting may be leaving more of an impression than first thought, and scientists are calling for the fistbump to replace the handshake.
Scientists at Aberystwyth University in Wales assessed the transmission of bacteria through a number of common contact greetings including the handshake, high-five and fistbump.
The research found the transmission of germs almost doubled during a handshake compared to a high-five.
The fistbump did even better, with only one tenth of the bacteria transferred through knuckle-to-knuckle contact.
The study's scientists concluded that adoption of the fistbump could substantially reduce the transmission of infectious disease and could be a simple and cost effective solution to a public health issue.
The research adds momentum to a push from a group of medical professionals, led by the Journal of American Medical Association, to ban the handshake from hospitals.
They suggest eastern inspired alternatives such as the Namaste bow (pressing the hands together and bowing), the salaam gesture (placing your right hand over your heart), or simply waving.
But the President of the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control - Belinda Henderson says it would be a shame to see Doctors and Nurses refrain from comforting their patients and that the best infection control measures starts with good hand hygiene.
