Is there a way of knowing what strand of high hpv one has?

Yes.: Most hpv dna tests performed on pap smears detect between 10 and 15 types of hpv (the most common high risk types that over time might lead to cancer). There are testing methods that exist in which specific types can be identified. Some labs perform "genotyping" tests that will tell the patient / doctor if the strain is 16 or 18 (the two most aggressive types).