Skip the handshake and try this cool move instead

Here's a good excuse to fist bump your friends and co-workers: It spreads less germs. In this video, Robin Miller, MD, shares tips for preventing the spread of cold and flu germs.

Transcript

00:00

It turns out these new school dap gratings are more sanitary than an old school handshake, according to a new study.

00:06

Shaking hands transmits about twice as many bacteria as a high five. [UPBEAT MUSIC]

00:25

Hi, I'm Dr. Miller. Shaking hands is a friendly way to greet someone. But that handshake isn't the most sanitary practice,

00:32

especially during cold and flu season. Still, you don't want to be unfriendly and refuse to acknowledge someone. So try a high five instead, or take a cue

00:41

from President Obama and the Dalai Lama and do a fist bump. It turns out these new-school dap gratings are more sanitary than an old-school handshake,

00:49

according to a new study. Shaking hands transmits about twice as many bacteria as a high five, and a fist bump transmits

00:56

just a fraction of the bacteria that a handshake does. The reason is simple. Dap greetings involve less contact and therefore less opportunity to share bacteria.

01:05

So this cold and flu season, trade that old-school handshake for a cool fist bump. If it's good enough for the Dalai Lama,

01:12

it's good enough for me. I'm Dr. Miller. Watch all our smart tips for more ways to protect your health. [UPBEAT MUSIC]