Getting Rid of Bed Bugs

We have a friend abroad who got a donated bed when they just got married. After spending the night on it, his wife had to be hospitalized from the bedbugs bites. She's very allergic. They did not know how to kill bedbugs, so they threw away the bed and would never get used furniture again. Information is weapon, and if they knew about bedbugs.com, perhaps, they won't be so afraid to get slightly used furniture pieces. Bedbugs are scary, but with good information about it, it can be avoided.