New Cat has Feline Herpes

Well, I just learned that my new cat, Linus, has Feline Herpes. Where I got him from, he had no signs till he came to be with me. His left eye has wetness around it, draining, and some crust builds up at the end of it. I already have 2 cats and I've been told it's contagious and to always wash my hand after touching his face. Back at his old home, Linus showed no signs, but now that he lives with me and stressed, it's coming out.

Questions
1). How much would it morally cost to get him officially tested for it?
2). What's it like living with a cat that has Feline Herpes?
3). Is there medicaction to keep it under control?

1) Testing costs can vary widely depending on your area. Since Feline Herpes is more of a treat the symptoms kind of thing it really is up to you if you want to go that way. From what I have heard the actual test is expensive and most vets feel it is unnecessary. I'd start by asking your vet and then call around to price check. 

2) I am fairly certain my cat when I was a kid had Feline Herpes, looking back. He came from a shelter and was really sick when we got him. They told up URI but he was prone to coughs, sneezing, watery eyes for the rest of his life. Mostly the respiratory side of things but as a kid my parents always said he just got sick easy. Dunno. If he did have it, then from that there wasn't much different than another cat other than getting sick easier. If he didn't, hopefully someone who has been there can give a better answer. 

3) You can ask your vet about Oral L-lysine. It is an amino acid that helps inhibit viral reproduction. That may help with decreasing outbreaks along with trying to keep stress at a minimum. But with outbreaks themselves it would be treating the symptoms as they happen. 

Deep breaths. Everything I have read (and my vet thought Link might have it at one point when he got back to back eye infections, his eyes were purple it was freaky, so I've done some reading) says it is manageable. If Linus has had direct contact with your other cats then they have already been exposed so you just have to roll with it at this point. If they haven't had direct contact then continue with the hand washing and try to limit exposure until he isn't as contagious. Even if your other cats are exposed they may never develop symptoms of their own. There is a vaccine so you may want to check with your vet if your cats already got it or if they can get it at this point. 

Edit: Also, probably contact where you got him if you haven't already so they know about it. 

We have Get Naked Kitten Health (chicken flavor)  natural treats with taurine. Our kitties love them.

Hi, my cat has feline herpes, he was an abandoned cat who followed us to the house.

He has never been tested but had all the symptoms to be diagnosed as a carrier of the feline herpes virus.

Living with him is like living with any other healthy cat, now that the symptoms are under control. Once in a while a sneeze or a little teary eye.

This virus is highly contagious. That is why I would recommend to have the house cats before bringing a new cat home.

When the vet told me about antibiotics and steroids. I said I am not going to condemn this cat to live with chemicals all his life. I researched and pray and I started giving ASAP L lysine 500mg per day. Now, year and a half after he is symptom free and a happy cat.

Make sure that is feline herpes.