Fist bumping, as opposed to the traditional handshake or high-five, spreads less germs while maintaining the traditional cultural expectations between patients and clinicians, a new study shows. The study was published in the August issue of the American Journal of Infection Control.

For the study, from the Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences, researchers conducted trials to see if less germs were transmitted with alternative greetings than with a traditional handshake. During this portion of the study, a greeter dipped a sterile-gloved hand into a container of germs. When the glove dried, the greeter participated in a handshake, fist bump, or high-five with a recipient wearing a sterile glove.

Each exchange varied in length and intensity of contact.

Once the exchanges concluded, the receiving gloves were placed in a solution to count how many bacteria were transferred during the contact. Researchers found that almost twice as many bacteria were transferred in a handshake versus a high-five, and that far less bacteria were transferred druing a fist bump than a high-five.

David Whitworth, PhD, corresponding author, said in a statement, “Adoption of the fist bump as a greeting could substantially reduce the transmission of infectious diseases between individuals.” He continued, “It is unlikely that a no-contact greeting could supplant the handshake; however, for the sake of improving public health we encourage further adoption of the fist bump as a simple, free, and more hygienic alternative to the handshake.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, proper handwashing can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses and other infections, including a 16 percent reduction in the spread of respiratory infections.