ctrl-alt-del

One of my best friends has warts - I don't know which kinds but I think he said he had (or still has them) in his genital area and his hands and lately he's been getting really down and I cannot seem to induce a sense of hope in him anymore. At first he was optimistic but now no matter how hard I try, he is getting more and more depressed.

How would I talk to a person in a state such as this? What kind of things would I tell him/her? How can I make them feel comfortable with their condition and accept it for the time being (while being optimistic and believing in a possible cure)?

Also - is there a chance I can get the disease myself if I spend time with an infected person? I do not shun my friend off when he deliberately or accidentally touches me, but the fact that this disease is contagious has created some OCD type thoughts in me. I don't know anything about how it is transmitted.

However, it is most important to me right now to help my friend get out of his misery and depression and then get back to doing some regular activities we used to do together and see his condition improve.

Thanks for your help.