Woman left paralysed after using friend’s dirty makeup brush

Young mother Jo Gilchrist had, like so many of us do, casually borrowed a friend’s makeup brush to hide a pimple.

But, shortly afterwards, she began feeling a pain in her back that soon became “worse than childbirth”.

Before too long, she lost all feeling in her legs and lower body, and had to be airlifted to a hospital in Brisbane for emergency surgery.

It turned out that she had contracted a drug-resistant infection called MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureas) - which she had apparently contorted from her friend’s makeup brush.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, she said: "My friend did have a staph infection on her face and I was using her brush just before.

“I had no idea that could even happen, I used to share with my friends all the time."

But, despite all of this, Jo has maintained a positive attitude - and considers herself lucky that the infection went to her spine.

She said the consequences would be worse had it gone to her limbs, which would have made it difficult or impossible to live independently and care for her 2-year-old son, Tommy.

"I feel like I have a second chance at life," she said.

"Everything happens for a reason, I've definitely got my fight back for life."

And, speaking with Warwick Daily News in Queensland, the young mum - whom has been told she will never have control over her bladder or bowel - said: "This has been a real wake-up call.

“Before this I was just going through the motions and existing but now I have a huge fight for life.

“If someone tells me I can't do something, I keep going because just the look on their faces when I do it is worth it."

Jo’s story has reminded us of the importance of keeping makeup brushes bacteria-free - but, more importantly, it’s inspired us to live life to the full.

Holding image obtained from Fox 6 Now News