HPV and Genital Warts

I have a girl friend who recently seek advise about the discomfort she's feeling in her genital area. She first called it rashes because of the itchiness that she's feeling, she also told me that she change brand of her usual feminine wash and so I told her to go back to the old one. weeks later she complained of an increase in her vaginal excretion and she also mentioned to me the presence of gray-colored cauliflower-like rashes in her sensitive area particularly in her "vaginal lips". I told her that she maybe has an infection and frankly I told her that it might be one of the std's (sexually transmitted disease). I must say that she got offended by my reaction and she later on told me that she felt bad of what I said but I explained everything to her and told her that this is no time for drama. I offered my help to her by referring her to my OB. On our way to the doctor she was asking me what do I think of her case. she was wondering how can she have those "rashes" when she is not sexually active for more than a year and a half (well that's what she said), she's even blaming the flood that happened in our place a few months ago. we were stranded and was forced to immersed in a dirty water that time and for her this is where she thinks the itchiness from her private area came from. Well, it could be.
After she was examined, the doctor found out that she has "genital warts". The doctor advise her to stop whatever sexual activity she has that time because it will affect her partner and it will also cause her pain during the intercourse. The doctor also explained to her that the cure for this has not been discovered yet but there are treatments that can alleviate and/or eliminate the symptoms. The treatment is to get rid of the warts. The OB prescribed her some over the counter medications which can effectively remove warts, according to her it is safe and cheaper but in case that these will not work for her she recommended that she has to go through a major procedure to get rid of the warts and that is either by injections (alpha-interferon ) or laser surgery (carbon dioxide (CO­2)). Now, my friend is following every doctor's instruction and as of today there are no more discomforts that are affecting her everyday routines.
One thing I've learned about genital warts is that the best way ito get rid of it is to protect yourself against it. In June 2006, the vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer and other HPV-caused diseases was approved for public use by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). After learning this, I set an appointment to my OB for my vaccination, Truly,prevention is better than cure.