**A Panoramic View of STD Prevention: Analyzing the Stages of Syphilis Development, the Risks of Gonorrhea and Trichomonas, and the Cost of Unprotected Sexual Activity[i]**

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Sexually transmitted diseases remain the most widespread infectious diseases in the world to date[i]. The spread of STIs has continued unabated over the past decade[i]. The probability of contracting "traditional" STIs such as syphilis and gonorrhea is now lower than that of other STIs, such as trichomoniasis and chlamydia[i]. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 70 million people worldwide contract traditional STIs each year[i]. The main reasons for the rapid increase in STIs are the prevalence of pornography, lack of sex education, cross-border sex tourism, and societal sexual permissiveness[i]. The best way to protect oneself is by using condoms[i]. Unfortunately, most STIs do not cause pain in their early stages and are therefore often undetected[i].

Treponema pallidum is a bacterium that resembles a cork in shape and is the causative agent of syphilis[i]. The development of syphilis can be divided into three stages: a few weeks after sexually transmitted infection, small ulcers appear on the glans penis of a man[i]. These small ulcers are not painful and are therefore often overlooked[i]. If left untreated at this stage, it will develop into secondary syphilis within a few months[i]. The symptoms of secondary syphilis are: reddish macules appearing on different parts of the body, accompanied by flu-like symptoms (fever, muscle weakness)[i]. If left untreated, secondary syphilis can last for several years and in most cases will develop into tertiary syphilis: at this stage, the syphilis pathogen has entered all organs of the body and can even cause paralysis of the nervous system or psychosis after 20 years[i]. Because penicillin and other antibiotics are very effective in treating the syphilis pathogen, the disease is curable if diagnosed in time[i].

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae [i]. Around the second to tenth day after infection through sexual intercourse, men may experience a burning sensation in the urethra, followed shortly by painful urination and a yellowish-green purulent discharge from the penile opening [i]. If left untreated, gonorrhea can lead to serious complications, most commonly epididymitis, and in rare cases, even infertility [i]. Treatment primarily involves highly effective antibiotics [i]. Treatment must include sexual partners, as even a single instance of contact without simultaneous treatment of the partner can lead to reinfection [i].

Trichomoniasis is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis, a single-celled parasite that can only be seen under a microscope [i]. After infection, men typically experience symptoms about a week later: mild burning or itching during urination and a thin discharge from the penis [i]. Treatment involves antibiotics, and sexual partners must also be treated to prevent reinfection [i]. Proving the presence of the Trichomonas vaginalis pathogen in men is much more difficult than in women [i]. In addition to using condoms, maintaining genital hygiene is crucial in preventing trichomoniasis [i].