But I do have real strong 'sex feelings'. I have a boyfriend, and although he knows that I will NOT have intercourse with him, he is happy with the fact that we have oral sex. He says he is a virgin.

Also, I let him perform oral sex on me - in other words, kissing my privates. I have to admit that I enjoy this a lot, doc. It is the one sure way of making me discharge. So it kind of eases my sexual tensions.

However, what I would like to know is this: Are there any health risks with oral sex? Could I catch anything from allowing him to put his organ inside my mouth?

Also, could I catch anything by letting him put his lips and tongue on my personal parts? I must admit that I used to let a previous boyfriend do this to me about a year ago. He was a virgin too.

I seem to be in pretty good health, doc, but I am fretting. So please answer as soon as possible.

A I am sorry to hear that you have been fretting. First, I congratulate you on remaining a virgin till now. By doing so, you have saved yourself from quite a lot of anxiety about unwanted pregnancy and other dangers!

Regarding oral sex, yes, there are dangers, though they are not as great as the risks of vaginal sex.

It is important that young people realise that oral 'love play' can pass on STIs and other sex infections. That applies to fellatio, which is when a woman puts a guy's penis in her mouth. And it also applies to cunnilingus, when the male stimulates the vaginal opening with his mouth.

Transmissible infectionsduring oral sex

Syphilis: If a person has a syphilitic sore on or in the mouth, the germs will almost certainly be passed on by oral sex.

Gonorrhoea ('clap'): Not many young people realise that oral sex with an infected person can give you gonorrhoea in the throat.

Chlamydia: This increasingly common germ can be transmitted by oral sex. Contact between the face and infected genitals can also cause a nasty EYE infection.

Herpes: This virus can be passed from genitals to mouth and vice versa. And on no account should anyone accept oral sex from a person who has a 'cold sore' on the lip, as these little round, raw patches are due to a type of herpes virus. In fact, you shouldn't even KISS anyone who has a 'cold sore!'

What about the risks of AIDS? Well, it has been shown that the HIV virus can be passed on by fellatio - and possibly by cunnilingus. However, most cases of transmission of the virus are due to anal sex or vaginal sex.

In your case, I don't think you need fret. If you and your boyfriend are faithful to each other, you can forget about the idea of catching a sexually transmitted infection from having oral sex with him.

However, I suppose I should add that there is just a chance that either of you could have been infected by a previous partner. From what you tell me in your email, that is not very likely. If there is any doubt at all, you could both get a check-up.