Pulmonologist doesn't want me shaking hands at convention I have to go to

[luvwinnie]

This will be awkward...just got back from dr. for asthma check. I'm still wheezy. I so wanted swine flu shot before the convention we host in Vegas, but no such luck. Dr. said do not shake hands to avoid getting sick. He said just tell people I am not feeling well to avoid offending them. He also gave me Advair AND pred in case I get worse out there. Kind of scared me. Said "Don't want you ending up in ER out there".

 

[minniebeth]

I know it might be awkward, but please follow the advice of the Dr.
What's more important? Possibly offending someone or your health? I'm sure people will understand. I bet there's a lot of other people that don't want to shake hands right now either. My DH just got back from a trade show last week and said a lot of people were not shaking hands and there was antibacterial hand pumps on a lot of the tables.

My DD was tested positive for Influenza A (most likely H1N1) after a trip to WDW. She has severe asthma that was borderline controlled when we left and it took her 3 weeks to recover with LOTS of medication and prednisone, so you DON'T want that!

Good luck and stay well!

 

[Disneylover79]

I agree with your MD....that darn H1N1 is nasty to get and with you having asthma you are more prone to get it...so be sure to wash your hands and encourage everyone to wash their hands...you will be fine

 

[legalsea]

This will be awkward...just got back from dr. for asthma check. I'm still wheezy. I so wanted swine flu shot before the convention we host in Vegas, but no such luck. Dr. said do not shake hands to avoid getting sick. He said just tell people I am not feeling well to avoid offending them. He also gave me Advair AND pred in case I get worse out there. Kind of scared me. Said "Don't want you ending up in ER out there".

I admit that since this is an event that you are hosting (or your company) it may be a bit awkward at times. However, given the prevalence of flu I imagine that many at the convention will, at least secretly, wish they did not have to shake hands.

Perhaps, since it is your convention, you can put up signs at the entrances stating "Please Help Prevent the Spread of H1N1: Avoid Shaking Hands and Wash Your Hands Frequently".

Also, carry a hand sanitizer with you at all times and use it (one doctor on the radio said that to be truly effective it should feel 'wet' on your hands for 15 to 20 seconds). Maybe you can have a few bottles at the convention for all to use.

Finally, if it is around Halloween, dress up like Donald Trump, who is notorious for not wanting to shake hands!

 

[agnes!]

Howie Mandel also will not shake hands, that's one of the reasons he does that hand-bump thing on "Deal or No Deal".

agnes!

 

[marlynnp]

I do this whenever I am sick. Practice - it's really not awkward.

I just put up my hand like the signal for stop, and say, "I'm sorry, I'm going to refrain from shaking your hand, I haven't been feeling well."
I've never had anyone get offended and most people say thanks.

 

[Stitchnut]

My family is just over the flu. The doctor refused to test us for H1N1, but said it was probably what we had and charted it in my daughter's file as such. Believe me when I say you do not want to get H1N1. I have asthma and it was controlled until I got sick and now I can't stop coughing even with medication. Please take care of yourself and don't think it's rude if you tell people you are not shaking hands. I think they would understand and if not too bad for them. Good luck at the convention.

 

[luvwinnie]

Thanks, everyone. Maybe I could just wear glittery gloves and say I'm paying to tribute to MJ? lol

 

[Evil Genius]

I very rarely shake hands due to arthritis. (Some people just have too hard of a grip) If someone extends their hand I usually tell them I don't shake hands. Only once did a man get offended.

 

[Scurvy]

Thanks, everyone. Maybe I could just wear glittery gloves and say I'm paying to tribute to MJ? lol

I know you were just joking with this, but I know someone who did wear gloves to avoid shaking hands. They were weird gloves that looked sort of like ace bandages, and it made it look like she had injured her hands somehow. If it appeared someone wanted to shake hands, she would just raise hers slightly and say she couldn't shake hands right then. No one had a problem with it. She found it awkward to use illness to explain why she wasn't shaking hands - some people said they weren't worried about catching anything from her and would grab for her hand anyway, and she felt she couldn't say she was trying to avoid catching something from them. Seeing that her hands appeared bandaged seemed to discourage people from trying to grab them, maybe because they were afraid they'd hurt her. I'm not sure what the real purpose of the gloves was, but I think I remember her saying something about arthritis. This was several years ago, and we've lost touch or I would ask her about them.

 

[m&m's mom]

The flu does not go all levels of your hand epidermis and infect you that way.
I personally would shake and be especially viligent about not touching my face until I scrubbed my hands.
I just would not risk offending someone or looking bad to superiors over something you can control.
I still think it is not right business etiquette wise to refuse to shake someone's hand.
Now I am sure I am going to be in the huge minority though.

 

[mommytobug]

During church, we have a time of greeting one another and we often shake hands. I tell my mom not to because she has asthma and I dont want her sick. I take out the germx after and we pass it from me to my dd to my parents, I am always worried I will hurt someone's feelings but hey I am going to try and stay well. I had the flu a few weeks back and it is nothing to play with. Dont shake hands if your doc said no. You really could wear one of those hand braces from wal mart if you wanted to.

 

[CathrynRose]

What I do - to avoid shaking in a big group like that, is tell them *I am sick.

"'Im just getting over a cold, and don't want to get YOU sick" with a big smile.

Works like a charm.

 

[Chicago526]

Ditto, just say you've been ill and don't want to spread it. If it's a mega VIP, go ahead and shake and then just don't touch your face until you have a chance to wash your hands.

PS - I work for a major non-profit medical organization, and our docs say that washing your hands w/soap and hot water (for a good 30-60 seconds!) is better than hand sanitizer, though sanitizer is still better than nothing. Whenever you have a choice, wash your hands vs. using sanitizer.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I spent 3 days at the start of this month at the army convention with 35,000 people and alot weren't shaking hands. Lots and lots of hand sanitizer were gave away and lysol wipes every 10 feet it seemed. I did shake hands some but for the most part I didn't shake hands either for the same reasons as the Op.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

This will be awkward...just got back from dr. for asthma check. I'm still wheezy. I so wanted swine flu shot before the convention we host in Vegas, but no such luck. Dr. said do not shake hands to avoid getting sick. He said just tell people I am not feeling well to avoid offending them. He also gave me Advair AND pred in case I get worse out there. Kind of scared me. Said "Don't want you ending up in ER out there".

If the doc is that concerned for your wellness have him excuse you from your conference. I would be more concerned about the plane that the meeting.
I'm in Bergen county as well, wonder if we have the same pulmonary group

 

[luvwinnie]

If the doc is that concerned for your wellness have him excuse you from your conference. I would be more concerned about the plane that the meeting.
I'm in Bergen county as well, wonder if we have the same pulmonary group

Dr. Jacoby in Midland Park?

I really can't. We are short staffed.

 

[shellybaxter]

If it is Asthma related I would also try to stay out of the casinos as much as possible. When I am having trouble with my Asthma I can get sick from being in the smoke. If I'm not have a flair up - I'm fine in the casinos

 

[bumbershoot]

The flu does not go all levels of your hand epidermis and infect you that way.
I personally would shake and be especially viligent about not touching my face until I scrubbed my hands.

Now I am sure I am going to be in the huge minority though.

I'll make the minority bigger with you.

http://www.pamf.org/flu/spread.html

The MD should have you not touch your face/mouth, rather than have you not touch other people's hands. That is the way to stop it.

But really, it's airborne...you're going to be at close speaking quarters with these people...shaking hands is going to be the least of your problems.

I really can't. We are short staffed.

What's the plan for the attack you might get from being in smokey Las Vegas? Or from getting sick from talking with all these people and having them breathe their germs on you?

I'm not normally afraid of germs, but the advice being given to you by your MD makes NO sense.

If your company cannot spare you for this, they cannot spare you next week or the week after, and you have to find things that make much more sense than what your MD is telling you.

If it is Asthma related I would also try to stay out of the casinos as much as possible. When I am having trouble with my Asthma I can get sick from being in the smoke. If I'm not have a flair up - I'm fine in the casinos

Exactly.