Clinical characteristics of acute Q fever patients in South Korea and time from symptom onset to serologic diagnosis.

Most acute Q fever patients had a nonspecific febrile illness with mild elevation of transaminases and no history of animal contact or occupational risk. The time from symptom onset to a positive IFA test was longer than the fever duration in most acute Q fever patients. Consequently, it may be difficult for clinicians to serologically diagnose acute Q fever. However, inappropriate antibiotic treatment was not associated with prolongation of symptoms or progression to chronic Q fever.