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The following is what experts think about COVID-19 testing and new variants.

In the past two years, the new coronavirus has left us with a lot of problems. Although the virus is constantly changing and new variants are expected, people still want to know if the COVID-19 test can be detected by your doctor. All virus versions-especially the new Omicron variants.

Just as the Delta variant of COVID-19 began to spread across the country, the latest variant was discovered in South Africa in late November, when the World Health Organization declared it a worrying variant. Since then, the United States has reported this variant in nine cases in five states. So how do you know if you might have an Omicron variant of COVID-19? We asked experts to break down your options for COVID-19 testing and whether they tested Omicron variants.

Dr. Passaretti said that most COVID-19 tests will give you a "yes" or "no" answer, and that's all the information they can provide to individuals. Because the mutation of COVID-19 affects the gene sequence that the PCR test looks for and the protein that the antigen test looks for, there is always concern that the test may not detect it, Dr. Barry Lutz said. The founder and chief scientific advisor of Anavasi Diagnostics, a molecular detector for COVID-19. "However, so far, most tests seem to be able to deal with the Omicron mutation, so it is still possible to diagnose people infected with the mutation," he said.

Murphy added that so far, the Federal Drug Administration has no concerns about the ability of rapid antigen and molecular diagnostic tests to detect mutations, but they are paying close attention to COVID-19 mutations and will announce any concerns.

Lutz said, but just because these tests can detect whether you have COVID-19, they are unlikely to tell which variant you have. In order to find specific variants, genome sequencing is required-and you are unlikely to get these results from standard PCR tests. "Sometimes samples are sequenced for public health surveillance, but the sequencing results are usually not applicable to the individual being tested," he said.

In short: Yes, most tests should be able to detect the Omicron variant of COVID-19, but if you don’t go deep into the lab, you won’t be able to get the specific variants listed in the results.

The main choice for testing is laboratory-based PCR testing, which usually takes several days to obtain results. Dr. Gwen Murphy, Master of Public Health, Executive Director of LetsGetChecked Family Health Test Kit Epidemiology, explained that these tests are usually performed in a laboratory or clinic and can identify the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Katie Passaretti, MD, vice president and corporate chief epidemiologist at Atrium Health, explained that the results of these tests are much faster (approximately 15-20 minutes), inexpensive and easy to use, and can be purchased at a local pharmacy and completed at home. The problem with quick tests is that they are not always that accurate and sometimes provide false positive or false negative results. In general, she said this is a good and quick option, especially for people who carry a large number of viruses or high-risk cases.

Dr. Passaretti said that you may see some emergency care facilities using this COVID-19 test, which is one of the two options above. She said the results will be returned in about 15-20 minutes and can detect the virus better than an antigen test.

Although we are still learning more, most experts agree that knowing that you have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus is the most important thing, but on a personal level, there is no real benefit to knowing which specific variant you have .

Lutz said that when it comes to the variant itself, it is useful for public health officials to know what mutations there are to ensure that whatever form of the virus is still detectable in the test. He said that what is worrying is that if the virus mutates to an undetectable level, human-to-human transmission will spread and evolve rapidly.

Murphy said that there are still many unknowns about the Omicron variant, and scientists are working to determine whether it is more easily spread or less deadly than other COVID-19 variants.

Dr. Passaretti pointed out that “it’s too early to tell whether the symptoms are different.” She said that according to some cases from South Africa, compared with the loss of taste and smell, symptoms such as fatigue, fever, cough and sore throat are more pronounced. Much, but as scientists learn more, this situation may change over time, she said.

Lutz explained that the real difference between Omicron and other variants of COVID-19 is that there is an "abnormally large number of mutations." But more research is needed to understand how this will affect individuals.

"The genetic variation of the original strain or the Delta strain is predictable, but not necessarily related. When these genetic variations affect the part of the virus that is the target of the vaccine or changes that may make the vaccine easier to spread or spread, it will appear. Problems. Lead to more serious diseases," Murphy said. "Knowing which variant you have is important for public health professionals because they will continue to understand how that variant is spread and what these effects are."

If people are worried about being exposed to COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms, most experts encourage people to get vaccinated (and get COVID-19 boosters) and follow the same plan established by the Centers for Disease Control.

"For people with COVID-19 symptoms, whether you are Delta, Omicron, or any other variant, the next steps are the same," Murphy said. Dr. Passaretti added that these measures include wearing masks in crowded spaces, staying at home when sick, vaccinations, and contacting a doctor if symptoms develop.

If you find that you have some suspicious symptoms, Murphy recommends tracking your symptoms and contacting your doctor as soon as possible. This helps prevent symptoms from getting worse and can provide you with the help you need. "If you need help, it is very helpful for your doctor to record the day you first developed symptoms, and then record which symptoms you developed on which day," she said.

As of press time, this article is accurate. However, with the rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing understanding of the new coronavirus in the scientific community, some information may have changed since the last update. Although our goal is to keep all our stories up to date, please visit the online resources provided by the CDC, WHO, and your local public health department for the latest news. Always talk to your doctor for professional medical advice.