How much does enbrel (etanercept) affect the immune system and how careful do i have to be around those who are sick? can i be around them?

Enbrel (etanercept) effects: Stay away from sickies. Enbrel (etanercept) makes it difficult for your body to attack an invading organism. That's what inflammation is designed to do, so when you affect the inflammatory response to treat conditions with excess inflammation, it's hard not to overshoot. If you get sick, you may not feel it right away, so you need to call in fast. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a602013.html.

Immunodeficiency: Embrel is a powerful suppressor of the immune response. Patients should be screening for tuberculosis infections because it can get easily activated. It is recommended to avoid exposure to infections while receiving embrel because some infections might become unusually severe due to the depression of immunity.