Toxoplasmosis can cause flu-like
symptoms in adults (and sometimes has no
symptoms). But in a baby in the early stages of pregnancy, it can cause serious birth defects such as eye and brain damage. These possible effects sound scary, but before you resort to giving your kitty away, take comfort in knowing a few things: Cats that never go outside are very unlikely to carry toxoplasmosis. Also, if you've been around cats for a while, you may be immune. Ask your doctor if she can check.