How your smell can reveal if you're sick

By Meera Senthilingam, for CNN

Updated 2034 GMT (0434 HKT) January 20, 2016

Subtle differences occur in body odor when someone is sick or infected, changing their odors from pleasant to aversive. When picked up by others, these differences can inform them to protect themselves and avoid becoming infected.
Photos: How humans smell disease to stay healthy
Subtle differences occur in body odor when someone is sick or infected, changing their odors from pleasant to aversive. When picked up by others, these differences can inform them to protect themselves and avoid becoming infected.
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The change in odor is thought to be caused by activation of the body's immune system in response to a new infection. Scientists at the Karolinska institute in Sweden injected volunteers with a compound mimicking the presence of bacteria, and changes in smell were detected.