Fist Bumping is Better than Shaking Hands to Prevent Bacterial Transfer: Study

Researchers advise people to practice fist bumping instead of shaking hands to avoid spreading harmful bacteria and germs.

A new study by the Aberystwyth University in Wales published in the American Journal of Infection Control found a simple handshake can transmit more amounts of bacteria than doing a high-five or fist bump. The scientists dipped a pair of gloves in bacterial broth till it was completely coated with E.coli and measured the levels of bacterial transfer through handshakes of different intensity, fist bumps and high-fives.

It was observed shaking hands and doing high-fives transmitted 10 and five times more amount of bacteria than doing a fist bump, respectively.

Results from a trial conducted by University of California recommend against shaking hands by doctors and health experts with patients to avert the possibility of contracting disease and illness causing viruses. The current research authors believe in fist bumping the time of hand-to-hand contact is very minimal for bacteria to spread from one person to another. They add this new method of greeting reduces bacterial transfer by 90 percent and must be practiced over the ritual of handshaking particularly during flu outbreaks.

"There is definitely a serious side to this story, superficially it is very whimsical, but there is a serious message underneath. If there's a flu pandemic then handshaking might be something you want to think about or in a hospital with the spread of superbugs," said Dave Whitworth, lead researcher and professor at the Aberystwyth University told the BBC News.

Escherichia coli or E.coli bacteria thrive in the human gut and play a vital role in fighting against invasion of harmful viruses and pathogens. Its aggressive versions are found in the feces that can cause food poisoning and gastrointestinal problems. Healthy habits like washing hands regularly and avoiding touching surfaces contaminated by E.coli can prevent risk of diseases and illnesses.

"People rarely think about the health implications of shaking hands. But if the general public could be encouraged to fist bump, there is a genuine potential to reduce the spread of infectious diseases," added Whitworth, reports the Evening Telegraph.