Testing for sexually transmitted infections is a personal, sensitive issue for most college students, but Boston University officials said despite students being unaware of the resources available on campus, the university offers many options to ensure students are comfortable seeking help.

“I think that our staff has a sensitivity to issues related to college students that you may not find in other places around the city,” Student Health Services Director David McBride said in an email. “I hope that SHS feels less like a clinic and more like an office.”

McBride said that while SHS offers a full range of STI testing, and began offering HIV testing — including a rapid HIV test – as of last year, many students still do not know about the testing available at the university’s center. Most tests are covered by insurance, and students are rarely required to pay for them out-of-pocket, he said.

“If you have the student health insurance, the costs are completely covered,” McBride said. “If you have outside insurance, our reference lab will bill your insurance and my experience is that this is generally covered as well.”

Rapid HIV testing, however, is not covered under student health insurance, and costs $65 per test, which is billed to the patient’s student account as a “Student Health Fee,” he said.

“I would have gone to Planned Parenthood for that type of testing because I didn’t realize they had STD testing at Student Health,” Tara Conlon, a School of Education freshman, said. “Now that I know about it I would probably go to Student Health because it’s convenient.”

Students who would rather go to an area clinic have several options, from Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts on Commonwealth Avenue to Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates near Kenmore Square. Students might also opt for clinics at the Massachusetts General Hospital or Boston Medical Center.

Susan Abraham, a practitioner in Harvard Vanguard’s Obstetrics and Gynecology department, said more patients are coming in with STI-related questions and concerns now that Gardasil — a vaccine protecting against certain types of cervical cancer — is widely advertised and available.

“We have everything here,” Abraham said. “Harvard Vanguard gives you all encompassing health care. We also have urgent care on the weekend, and we’re open in the evenings.”

Abraham said she recommends students come in for an initial STI test two to three years after they become sexually active to ensure their health is not compromised.

Lisa Dacey, a Planned Parenthood media relations coordinator, said she encourages students to come in for a consultation if they are concerned about STI-related issues. She said a number of factors go into determining when and how often students should be tested, “including number of partners and health history.”

“All of that would be discussed in a visit,” she said.