A Handshake Can Give You the Flu: There Are Alternatives

Stanford : CA : USA | Oct 10, 2011 at 7:37 AM PDT

By prabirghose

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The President of the USA Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle ObamaMichelle Obama follow the practice of bumping fists instead of shaking hands when greeting others. This is a method to avoid contracting the flu virus.

Nathan Wolfe, a virus expert of the Stanford University, California, has said that flu can be avoided if you do not shake hands but, instead, greet the other person in some alternate manner, preferably by touching the elbow, taking a bow of tapping fists. Handclasp can invite trouble in the form of flu.

Nathan Wolfe is also the director of California-based firm Global Viral Forecasting, and has done a comprehensive study on the subject. He has identified potential danger areas that could attract the flu virus – like contaminated kettles, door handles, work surfaces etcetera where the virus can survive for up to 24 hours.

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One alternative to shaking hands is the "bump shake" pictured here.

prabirghose is based in Nāshik, Maharashtra, India, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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