This condition is highly contagious and can cause a great deal of morbidity in the active duty age group.  Even though the varicella vaccine is now commonly in use, there are still many service members who are susceptible.

For Chickenpox, treat the active duty age group with acyclovir 800mg 5 times a day for 10 days if the condition is recognized within 2-3 days of onset of rash.  The course of the illness can be somewhat shortened.  Unfortunately, it is unclear whether the serious complications of varicella (e.g. pneumonitis, meningoencephalitis, etc.) can be prevented with therapy.  

Written and revised by CAPT Dennis A. Vidmar, MC, USN, Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, and Department of Dermatology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD (1999).