Please Help...I need advice...What is HPV?

My best friend of like 10yrs was diagnosed with HPV. She was hysterically crying and i wanted to console her. I told her things like thank god this isn't HIV or . This is a disease we can manage with and you can live the rest of your life with. We'll learn about it and you'll take extra care of yourself. I told her this as a friend but I am completely heartbroken and scared for her. She was young and had unprotected but now as an adult she takes care of herself and is shocked even though she knew consequences. My questions are: What is HPV? What does it cause? How likely are women do die from this? What is a woman's life span with this disease? and if any of you have it are there any side affects that are minor but uncomfortable to live with? and any book to recommend on me dealing with her she is heartbroken and is more than a friend she is my sister. I need to help her. I don't know if i can not cry around her. I might be more scared than she is. Help please