Yes. Virginity has different meanings for different people. Some women and men believe they are preserving their virginity if they have sex play that does not involve vaginal intercourse. But they can still get certain sexually transmitted infections from anal, oral, and even kissing (such as herpes and syphilis).

It depends on the type(s) of HPV (human papilloma virus) a person has.
In 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a vaccine, Gardasil, that protects against four of the 40 types of HPV that are sexually transmitted. Two of the types, 6 and 11, are the ones that cause 90 percent of the outbreaks of genital warts. The two others, 16 and 18, cause 70 percent of cases of cancer of the cervix. They are also associated with cancers of the vulva, penis, anus, or throat.

There is no clear evidence that the vaccine will protect an already infected person. Because, however, a person may be infected with one of the HPV types covered by the vaccine but not with another, the vaccine will protect against the HPV type(s) that a person does not already have. The new vaccine does not offer protection against all the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. So sexually active women are urged to continue to have regular Pap smear tests; a test that detects cervical cancer in its early, treatable stages.

No. Shaving, dousing with kerosene, hot baths, and other so-called remedies won’t work. Scabies and pubic lice are tiny insects are parasites that may be transmitted through sexual and intimate contact or from infested bed sheets and clothing. Symptoms usually include intense itching of the genitals and anus. To get rid of these parasites one needs to shower with a medication from neck-to-toe and dry clean or boil all towels, bed sheets, and clothes exposed. Treat the partner as well to avoid re-infection.

Scabies and pubic lice are highly contagious and condoms in this case can’t completely protect from infection because they don’t cover all the areas that are.

You will need to be examined by a qualified health care provider to see if you have a sexually transmitted infection or some other condition that is irritating you. But it is possible for infections to follow the route you describe. For example, although herpes virus-1 (HSV-1) is most commonly associated with cold sores around the mouth, it can infect the sex organs. And, while herpes virus 2 (HSV-2) is most commonly associated with infections of the sex organs, it can infect the mouth and throat.

During oral sex — anilingus (on an anus), cunnilingus (on a vulva), or fellatio (on a penis) — the HSV-1 or HSV-2 in a cold sore can be passed directly to the sex organs or anus. It is also possible for the fluid from the “weeping” sore to be passed from mouth to mouth and then to the sex organs where it can start an infection. That’s why it’s best for people with open herpes sores, oral or genital, to refrain from intimate contact with other people.

If you are diagnosed with herpes, it may be a good idea for your partner to be tested, too. There are medications available today that reduce the number and severity of outbreaks and also reduce the risk of one partner infecting the other.

Condoms are an important part of safer sex, but safer sex means more than just using condoms. Safer sex is a relative term. It is anything you decide to do to lower the risk of becoming infected or infecting someone else with a sexually transmitted infection. Here are some examples:

• If you decide to have sexual intercourse, using a latex or female condom makes it safer.
• If you decide to have oral sex instead of unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, it is safer
• If you decide to have protected oral sex (condoms or dental dams used) instead of unprotected oral sex, it is safer.
• If you decide to rub against each other with your clothes off instead of having intercourse or oral sex, it is safer. Rubbing against each other with your clothes on is even safer.
• If you decide to masturbate each other instead of rubbing against each other with your clothes off, it is safer.
• If, after masturbating each other, you wash your hands before touching your own genitals, it is even safer.
• If you decide to masturbate alone or have phone sex or cybersex instead of physical contact with someone else, it is even safer.

HIV test do not look for the presence of HIV in the body: they look for the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system when it encounters HIV. It may take up to 3 months for the body to produce enough HIV antibodies to produce a positive test result. This three month period between infection and a positive test is known as the window period. During this time a person is already infected and capable of spreading HIV.

Anyone who has been at risk of being infected should be tested. That means any person who has had unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse or who has shared needles with someone. Pregnant women who are at risk can be tested and treated so that their babies can be born uninfected.

It takes up to three months after infection for the tests to be accurate. Results that show no infection are accepted as accurate — unless unsafe sex or sharing needles happened within three to six months of testing. Tests are double-checked if they show infection. Testing has gotten simpler and faster over the years with the prick test which takes one drop of blood and can detect the virus within 6 weeks after the episode of unprotected sex.

Having sex can introduce bacteria into the vagina and urethra, causing urinary tract infections (UTIs). That could create a burning sensation during urination. When you sleep after sex you leave the bacteria to grow and then the next morning it burns but you would have cleaned out your urinary tract. What could help is to always remember to pee after you have sex so that you clean out your tract and avoid the burning feeling later.

Many women dont get symptoms for STIs, condoms are protective, but it would be good to have regular checkups for STIs and especially in the case of unprotected sex.