I can smell it when DP gets an infection, should I tell him?

[VampireTheBuffetSlayer]

DP is very prone to sinus infections. He's had surgery twice but neither time had been successful, leaving him prone to infection. I can smell it on his breath when it happens. It's not noticeable unless I am close to him, so I don't think anyone else would notice. Should I tell him? I don't think he always knows he has an infection and I don't know how much it would help him to know and I don't want him to be paranoid that he smells. The recurrent infections mean that he can't smell very well and I don't want to upset him. Antibiotics are of limited use and he usually waits for them to get better on their own so it's not as if telling him would mean treating it sooner. WWYD?

I can smell a change in DH's breath if he has an infection. I've never known anyone else who can do this! It's a strange not-exactly-unpleasant smell, quite different from general bad breath, or food smells. Almost a musty, fruity smell. I have told him when I can smell it (reassuring him that it's only when quite close up) and it's been useful for him in judging when he needs to go to the GP for antibiotics. He's quite probe to bad chest infections following a cold. I tried googling what it could be but failed to find much out. It's very hard to describe smells in words.

Antibiotics are of limited use and he usually waits for them to get better on their own so it's not as if telling him would mean treating it sooner

I think that because of this ^ I'd not say anything, on the understanding that you really didn't think it would be noticable to others. If I thought other people would say something, I'd say it first (and hopefully more kindly), but not otherwise.

If it's a sinus infection, is there anything he can actually do about the smell? (Never had one.)

Thanks for both for your comments, even though you are saying the opposite of each other! Interesting that you have had the same experience Fire. You're right, it is a very unique smell and it took me a while to figure out what it was.

I've not come across it with anyone else before although someone did tell me once that my breath smelt the day before I was diagnosed with a chest infection - it's left me paranoid ever since!

@Firefliess

I can smell a change in DH's breath if he has an infection. I've never known anyone else who can do this! It's a strange not-exactly-unpleasant smell, quite different from general bad breath, or food smells. Almost a musty, fruity smell. I have told him when I can smell it (reassuring him that it's only when quite close up) and it's been useful for him in judging when he needs to go to the GP for antibiotics. He's quite probe to bad chest infections following a cold. I tried googling what it could be but failed to find much out. It's very hard to describe smells in words.

I can do this too! I can smell infection and illness in my children, my Boyfriend and mum. Sometimes strangers too, but not always. Much more noticiable if I already know their smell.

I have a startlingly good sense of smell; indeed, I get sensory overload from it in the supermarket quite often! I'm a fairly heavy smoker too - it's meant to deaden your sense of smell. If I ever give up smoking, I'm going to have to look into a career as some kind of service dog I think .

I read something recently about recurrent sinus infections sometimes being to do with fungus rather than bacteria. That might be something to look into, OP.

I can smell illness in my DC, it’s just a strange change of smell. I’ll tell DH one of them is going to be ill and by the next morning they have symptoms. Strange but useful.

I am quite prone to sinus infections and, weirdly, I can often smell them on myself. It's often the first indication I have that something is wrong. I don't know how to describe the smell, it's quite strange and distinctive but not (to me, at least) really unpleasant I can often smell when something else is wrong too, for exampe if I keep catching a whiff of roast chicken then I know I'm coming down with a cold.

If someone close to me noticed I think I'd like to know, as sometimes I can head it off at the pass, so to speak. Like @Herja above, I do have a very acute sense of smell.

I think if he tends not to seek treatment for it then there's no point in telling him as he will be paranoid and feeling like he can't do anything about it.
My super power is I can smell tonsillitis.

My dh can smell when I'm getting a chest infection. I'm very prone to them, he says it's not a horrible smell or anything just a subtle change. He's never been wrong

Yes my kids used to smell like pear drops

Could you tell a white lie and say his voice changes slightly?

You can get a sinus wash OTC here in Australia from the chemist. Not sure is similar available in the UK. It might help remove any debris causing the smell.