Does the immune system remember infection to bacteria to help fight it off if exposed again in the future? i know it works this way with viruses, but was unsure if also true for bacteria?

Yes. The immune system responds to bacterial infections (and fungal and others), not just viruses. In general, immunity is more effective against viruses, because bacteria and the immune responses to them usually are more complex, and bacteria are more effective than viruses in evolving mechanisms to resist immunity. But every infection results in reaction by the immune system.