ANSWERED: Can You Get An STD If You’re A Virgin?

Hello sir,

I was just wondering, if you and your partner are both virgins, could either of us catch an STI or STD from oral sex? I probably should have considered this before, and I will in the future, but I’m just wondering what the chances are.

RESPONSE: A common myth about sexually transmitted diseases is that you can only get them from having penetrative sex (i.e. the penis going into the vagina). That’s not true! You can contract an STD or STI by having oral sex also. Many people think it’s safe, so most people just do it without considering the risk, making it super risky.

The sexually transmitted diseases that can be transmitted via oral sex include HIV, herpes, syphilis, gonorrhoea, HPV, and viral hepatitis. And, yes, you can get those even if you’re a virgin. If you’re a virgin who has fooled around with someone with one of those STDs, then you can get the STD via oral sex.

Usually, in order to get an STD, you have to come in sexual contact with someone who already has it. And if you’ve both been tested, and the results were clean, you won’t get anything from each other.

However, keep in mind that there are ways you can contract an STD that don’t include sex. The herpes virus can be spread through kissing, touching, even dry humping, if there are open sores visible. While it’s possible to get an STD from a toilet seat, it’s extremely rare. You can also get an STD from indirect objects, like a damp towel, or infected wax when getting a Brazilian if your wax place is not sanitary. So, yes, it’s possible to get an STD as a virgin. It’s unlikely that it will happen, but it’s not impossible.

If you’re worried, you and your BF can get tested to see if you have anything. It never hurts to check things out! And remember – your best bet is to steer clear of any sexual activity for now at least until you’re mature enough and have all the information about safe sex!