A mother claims she saved her son’s life by detecting his life-threatening illness through her keen sense of smell. Victoria Hare, who says she can detect the scent of ketones—acids produced when the body burns fat for energy—noticed the distinctive pear drop or acetone-like smell on her 15-year-old son Harry’s breath last year, raising concerns that he might be diabetic.
Early symptoms of type-1 diabetes can include the presence of ketones on the breath, which can also indicate a dangerous condition called diabetic ketoacidosis or liver failure. Worried, Victoria tried to get a GP appointment, but was told the symptoms were “not an emergency” and to call back later.
Determined to take action, the 41-year-old tested Harry’s blood sugar at home and decided to bring him to Peterborough City Hospital. There, doctors diagnosed Harry as being on the verge of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes.
Victoria explained, “I could smell this acetone scent, like nail varnish remover, on him. I recognized it from when my other son was very ill and hadn’t eaten for days.” She had also noticed a similar smell when her mother was unwell.
Although Harry hadn’t complained of feeling sick, Victoria trusted her strong sense of smell, noting that the acetone scent was particularly strong even from a distance. This puzzled her, as Harry had been eating normally.
Feeling fortunate to have caught the problem in time, Victoria was relieved when a doctor told her that she had “saved his life.” However, she expressed frustration at those who initially dismissed her concerns, pointing out that her son “could’ve died” without her intervention.