Can two virgins having oral or vaginal sex without protection transmit STIs?

The straightforward answer is ‘no,’ but keep in mind a couple of things. First, definitions of “virginity” can vary. If you and your partner consider yourselves virgins but one of you has had oral sex with someone else, there is a possibility for transmission of STIs. Which brings me to my second point that, yes, oral sex can transmit STIs. Any and all of them – gonorrhea, chlamydia, herpes, HPV, etc. So count previous oral sex partners as a possible risk factor. Third, know what we test for with routine STI testing. In general, when someone goes in for an STI test, they are tested for gonorrhea, chlamydia and, at least the first time, HIV and syphilis. Notice that this does not include herpes or HPV (these are only usually tested with symptoms). So just because a partner says they tested “clean” doesn’t mean that they don’t have herpes or HPV. Just some things to discuss with your partner before taking the next intimacy step in your relationship.