{"id":371,"date":"2014-08-07T10:30:59","date_gmt":"2014-08-07T16:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.brevis.com\/blog\/?p=371"},"modified":"2020-07-23T13:01:03","modified_gmt":"2020-07-23T19:01:03","slug":"forget-germy-handshakes-do-the-fist-bump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brevis.com\/blog\/2014\/08\/forget-germy-handshakes-do-the-fist-bump\/","title":{"rendered":"Forget germy handshakes. Do the fist-bump!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Humans are big on ritualistic touching. It’s an\u00a0integral part of\u00a0cultural exchanges\u00a0throughout the world.<\/p>\n

The traditional hongi greeting of the New Zealand Maori\u00a0people involves pressing noses and foreheads together. In Botswana they lightly graze palms and fingers. In the U.S. we pat heads, offer high-fives, or connect with a pound hug (a one-armed “man” hug with a\u00a0back slap). We\u2019ve even been known to pat a bum or two. But the majority of the time, we shake hands.<\/p>\n

Turns out, a handshake is FAR MORE\u00a0LIKELY to spread bacteria. In fact, a handshake is about the grossest G-rated thing you can do with another person!<\/p>\n

Scientists at Aberystwyth University in the United Kingdom recently conducted a study<\/a> that compared how easily bugs migrate via a classic handshake, a high-five, and a knuckle-to-knuckle knock (or a “dap,” as the study calls it). It\u00a0concluded that fist-bumps transfer 90% fewer germs than a handshake\u2014followed by a \u201cprolonged\u201d fist-bump, then a high-five, and then a prolonged high-five. The handshake was the germiest. Why? It necessitates more flesh-to-flesh contact and lasts longer. Resesarch also\u00a0showed that a firm grip spreads more than twice the number of bacteria<\/em> than a \u201cmoderate handshake.\u201d So\u00a0the stronger your\u00a0grip, the more germs you\u00a0spread!<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople rarely think about the health implications of shaking hands,” says study lead Dave Whitworth, who was
\ninspired by\u00a0increased\u00a0measures\u00a0to promote cleanliness in the workplace.\u00a0“If the general public could be encouraged to fist-bump, there is genuine potential to reduce the spread of infectious disease.\u201d<\/p>\n

The study is of particular interest to\u00a0healthcare providers, whose hands can spread potentially harmful germs to patients\u2014and that can lead to healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs). HAIs are a leading cause of preventable harm and death in the U.S. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that one in 25 hospitalized patients develops an HAI and 75,000 patients with HAIs die during their hospitalization each year. It\u2019s unlikely we\u2019ll see a lot of fist-bumping or high-fiving in hospitals anytime soon, but handshakes must<\/em> be followed by effective handwashing<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Whether you call lit a dap, a fist-pound, or a fist-bump (our preference), this greeting is now being used by cool people everywhere\u2014including President and Mrs. Obama, who popularized it during the 2008 Presidential campaign\u2014because it\u2019s the safest all of the ritualistic touching ways to exchange pleasantries. And if you think a fist-bump is strictly for the Obamas\u00a0(or bromances, for that matter),\u00a0think again: The Journal of the American Medical Association has called for a ban on handshakes in healthcare settings<\/a>, recommending a fist-bump instead.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s germy world out there. So let up on that grip, champ. Grab\u00a0our\u00a0poster<\/a>. Display\u00a0it proudly. And\u00a0spread the word\u00a0(not the\u00a0germs):\u00a0Do the fist-bump!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Don’t miss this\u00a0great video from CBS News<\/a>, either.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Humans are big on ritualistic touching. It’s an\u00a0integral part of\u00a0cultural exchanges\u00a0throughout the world. The traditional hongi greeting of the New Zealand Maori\u00a0people involves pressing noses and foreheads together. In Botswana they lightly graze palms and fingers. In the U.S. we pat heads, offer high-fives, or connect with a pound hug (a one-armed “man” hug with … Continue reading Forget germy handshakes. Do the fist-bump!<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34],"tags":[44,47,46,43,40,45,48],"class_list":["post-371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-science-around-the-world","tag-aberystwyth-university-study","tag-cbs-news","tag-dave-whitworth","tag-do-the-fist-bump","tag-healthcare-acquired-infections-hai","tag-jama","tag-saralynn-white"],"yoast_head":"\nForget germy handshakes. 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