Can you smell illness?

[Sniv]

Maybe this is a well-documented phenomenon, but it surprised me...

Over the weekend a family member was feeling under the weather and had a temperature. I looked in on him sleeping and thought "it smells like a sickroom in here" even though the bed had been stripped and changed that morning, he'd had a shower a few hours ago, and he hadn't been sick or anything. It just had THAT smell. Fast forward a few hours and he was at the hospital with a serious stomach bug (he's OK now, btw).

I'd heard of dogs being able to smell illness, but not people so much. I thought the 'sick room' smell was a combo of sweat/vomit/cleaning stuff, but I googled and it turns out that various elements of your immune system going into overdrive can cause a distinctive smell. It's something I'll definitely pay attention to in future!

Just wondered if anyone else had any experience of this phenomenon?

Yes I can!

Sick people sort of smell like pear drops and acetone. That’s the best way I can describe it

I can smell when DS is ill but not anyone else

Live with a nurse and definitely, including a death smell. They once got worried when I had a nasty chest infection and the smell was getting that way. I do recall the kids smelling to when they were particularly virally.

I can tell when my kids are sick, they get of sort of stale smell about them

It’s called Key tones

Yup, even from childhood.

Pear drops @ShirleyPhallus? That sounds quite nice!

I don't know if I can describe what I thought it smelled like - but I never can identify smells anyway! It wasn't a wrinkle-your-nose bad smell in itself, though - except, you know, it had some bad connotations...

Yes!i can always smell it on my children and my husband.

I can smell it when DS is ill.
I can also smell gum disease.

@Gwynfluff There's no way I could do a nurse's job. I really don't need to know what the odour of slowly impending death smells like...

Yeah I can. Definitely tonsillitis.
And some sort of metallic smell I get sometimes.

I can smell when my daughter is coming down with something.

I keep asking my OH to see the GP as he smells strange - it’s everything, his body odour (ie not when he’s sweaty - that smells the same), his urine, when he poos and farts they’re much smellier than they used to be and I’m sure there’s something not right. But he just thinks I’m being arsey.

I have this, over 30 years as a nurse, can smell a variety of illnesses. Parkinson's, certain cancers, diabetes and stomach upsets. Have a nose like a bloodhound.

My son honks when he has tonsillitis

@kateluvscats

That has reminded me of that fascinating story of the nurse who could tell her husband (and then others) was getting Parkinson’s. They used her in a controlled scientific experiment and she could tell who had Parkinson’s (including those who were unaware). They investigated what it might be and way before symptoms appear I think something changes in terms of metabolising fat and this was the smell - I will go and see if I can find the story.

I can smell illness. I can smell when my kids are poorly, it's strange. I always thought it was instinct.

DH can smell when DS is sick but I can’t

It’s called Key tones

😂😂😂😂

Yes. Certain cancers have a smell. I used to volunteer on a ward.

Yes, but only my own children.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-scotland-47627179

It’s to do with chemicals produced in sebum.

Yes, I can smell colds/flus and some cancers. My old work colleague was always spot on with her cancer spotting.

I can usually "feel" dementia a couple of years before someone is unwell enough to see a doctor about it.

Gwynfluff I remember that, and I wondered if it had been followed up.

Yes, DH smells really different when he is coming down with an illness.

I can't smell it with my children though, or anyone else!

I can smell my kids and dp when they're not well