How to know what strain of Covid-19 you have

LAFAYETTE, LA (KADN) - Many Americans have been rushing to get a covid-19 test with lines stretching for blocks but after testing positive for Covid-19 many are now wondering which strain of Covid-19 they have. The Omicron variant of covid has quickly taken over as the dominant strain of the virus in the United States with people experiencing symptoms such as "high temperature, fever when I sleep I cough headache and I feel like my muscle sore says Nhan Nguyen.

But after testing positive how do you know which strain of covid you have. Well, the CDC conducts genetic sequencing on a percentage of positive tests across the country which allows them to see if someone has delta or omicron.

Madelyn Romero recently tested positive for covid 19 and is just getting her taste back.

She said "I had it a few weeks ago with very mild symptoms I did get both vaccines and so I think that might be why the symptoms weren't as bad and you know sniffy nose and I did lose my taste of smell". 

When asked if she knew which strain of covid she had she replied, "No, I did not know which strain I had". 

Romero believes it's important for people to know which strain of covid 19 they have so they know the severity of symptoms they may experience.

She said "I do think it's really important with the different strains because I know some people say ones worse than the other and ones not as bad but maybe you do have the one they say is worse and I think it'll be more helpful to know which strain you had". 

Doctors say there are a few reasons why they don't tell you which strain of covid you have.

1. Because the tests are run by doctors in offices and hospitals that don't sequence and specify the variant.

2. The global PCR test only gives a positive or negative result and doesn't determine the type of strain. 

Now doctors say certain variants of Covid 19 have a specific genetic sequencing which allows them to know if it's omicron or delta however it's not a definite answer. 

Now the CDC says overall, doctors say it's not vital for you or most other covid-19 patients to know what strain of the virus you have.