Frequent trips to the bathroom, bloody and painful urination—these are some of the signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI develops when bacteria from the GI tract or rectum enter the urinary tract and urethra, says Dr. Escobar. And when an infection develops into a recurrent or chronic UTI , the suffering can feel never-ending. What Is a Recurrent UTI? A UTI is considered recurrent or chronic when someone has two confirmed diagnoses in six months, or three in a full year, Dr. Escobar says.