Can you smell if your kids are getting sick?

[BanjoMango]

Just saw a random video of a woman that claimed that she could smell when her children were sick/ getting sick and apparently after a poll she said the results were 50/50.

So I thought what better place to ask than here?

Yes when they were little (and closer!)

Yes, I have always wondered if it is ketones or something. Birthmarks get a bit darker too before they're ill - that's another sign!

Me neither. I have literally no idea what people are on about maybe there’s something wrong with my sense of smell 😂😭

When they were little/toddlers

I'm with you too. I don't know what DC smell like in general and definitely can't smell anything extra when they are ill.

Sometimes DH will pick up some clothing or a blanket and say it smells nice because it smells like the child who has been wearing it and I have no idea what he's talking about.

Yep, can smell when DH is ill, too.

My husband can. He describes it as a metallic smell. He's always been able to smell when the kids are about to become unwell. I never could though 😂

Yes, they smell different.

Not consistently - I can't detect anything viral. But I did sniff out an ear infection on him when he was a toddler. I can smell anything bacterial....

Not sure it’s smell, but I always know. Never been taken by surprise of them being ill!

Yes I can definitely smell both my DCs and DH. I’ve got a strong sense of smell anyway, and it was even stronger during pregnancy (as I think it is for many women), so I’m convinced it’s hormone related. Which might explain why it’s more common for women to ‘smell’ illness.

My partner (who is also my kids dad, ftr) is the primary caregiver for both kids. He can’t smell the sickness smell, I can, despite the fact he spends way more time with them than I do.

To me, it smells chemical like. Almost like the smell of the taste of paracetamol or paint. Even if the kids haven’t had any medicine, I can still smell it. I’m not sure exactly where the smell comes from either - I can mostly smell it on their hair.

Yes for sure. I can also can accurately feel a high temperature by touch, even if it’s only a little above average temp. My husband says it’s my superpower.

Yes, we have always said they "have poorly breath" I think women smell it but men not so much 🤷‍♀️

I can with all of mine, even though they are all now adults. I can with my grandchildren too.

Yes! There’s a wif of poorly about them, can’t put my finger on it but it’s real!

Yes !! Not every illness but their breath smells funny!!!