Avoiding hand shakes lowers flu risk

(WJBK) - Many of us are on high germ alert right now with the heightened flu season. So, what do you do if someone extends a handshake?

Dr. Jason Talbert with Beaumont says avoiding handshakes would, in fact, lower your chances of getting sick. 

"If you were to fish bump or elbow tap, that would definitely be a better way than shaking hands," he says. He says a fist bump only passes about 10 percent of the bacteria that a handshake passes along. 

If you must shake hands, he recommends washing your hands as quickly after as possible, or carry hand sanitizer. 

The main symptoms of the flu are a high fever, body aches and chills. If you have those symptoms, stay home from work or school.