The story

Two kisses on the cheek or three? The age-old dilemma may become moot as worries of infectious disease hang in the air.

Common forms of greeting, such as handshakes and kisses on the cheek, are coming under scrutiny as the H1N1 virus, commonly known as swine flu, steadily spreads around the world.

In Mexico, which has had the largest outbreak of the virus, the Ministry of Health is advising people to avoid shaking hands and kissing people as a greeting.

Some couples are donning surgical masks when they kiss to avoid contagion.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN's chief medical correspondent who has been covering the epidemic from Mexico, is advocating the "el-bump," or bumping of elbows, as a greeting. Read full article »

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