For GOD's sake, stop shaking hands.

[SheilaT]

84. Since you have health issues

that can be very directly compromised by shaking hands with people who don't wash theirs, you should feel quite free to refuse to shake hands. Politely, of course. But a simple, "I'm sorry, I have a compromised immune system" should work for most people. And to hell with those who don't get it.

Another side factoid: Women did not routinely shake hands until about the mid-60's or so. I was born in 1948 (do the math) and when I was growing up and as a very young woman, it was not expected of me that I'd shake hands. By about 1970 or so that changed. If you watch older movies, it's quite interesting, because the women very, very rarely shake hands with men, and never with other women. Nowadays I personally find it a convenient form of greeting.