Final answer:
The bacterial STD with three distinct stages of primary, secondary, and tertiary is syphilis, which is caused by Treponema pallidum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bacterial STD with three distinct stages is syphilis, which is caused by Treponema pallidum. The stages include:
- Primary syphilis - Characterized by the presence of a painless hard chancre lesion on genitalia.
- Secondary syphilis - Associated with skin and mucous membrane lesions.
- Tertiary syphilis - The most serious stage, which can involve significant nervous system damage.
It is important to identify and treat syphilis early with antibiotics to prevent progression to more serious stages.