ಧನುರ್ವಾತ ಬ್ಯಾಕ್ಟೀರಿಯಾದಿಂದ ಹರಡುವ ರೋಗ. ಇದು ಕ್ಲಾಸ್ಟ್ರಿಡಿಯಮ್ ಟೆಟಾನೆ ಹೆಸರಿನ ಬ್ಯಾಕ್ಟೀರಿಯಾ ಉಂಟಾಗುವ ಬ್ಯಾಕ್ಟೀರಿಯ ಸೋಂಕು. ದವಡೆಯ ಸ್ನಾಯು ಸೆಳೆತ ಈ ಕಾಯಿಲೆಯ ಮುಖ್ಯ ಲಕ್ಷಣ. ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಸೆಳೆತವು ದವಡೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಾರಂಭವಾಗುತ್ತದೆ ಮತ್ತು ನಂತರ ದೇಹದ ಉಳಿದ ಭಾಗಗಳಿಗೆ ಹರಡುತ್ತದೆ.

Tetanus, also known as lockjaw, is a bacterial infection caused by Clostridium tetani and characterized by muscle spasms. In the most common type, the spasms begin in the jaw, and then progress to the rest of the body. Each spasm usually lasts for a few minutes. Spasms occur frequently for three to four weeks. Some spasms may be severe enough to fracture bones. Other symptoms of tetanus may include fever, sweating, headache, trouble swallowing, high blood pressure, and a fast heart rate. Onset of symptoms is typically 3 to 21 days following infection. Recovery may take months; about 10% of cases prove to be fatal.