Is it possible to have Chlamydia for years and not have symptoms?

Dear Ask The Doctor: My question is similiar to the question the lady had asked. I got my test results today from a std test I took last week, while I was waiting for the results I had stayed away from liquor and unprotected sex. After I got the call that said that I was positve for Chlamydia I called my partner and told her. She told me that she got tested a week after we had unprotected sex and that she was negative. I am confused because I assumed she gave it to me because after the second time we had unprotected sex, shortly after I experienced a stinging sensation in my penis when I urinated and also had some liquid drip from my penis(I could not tell what it was but I felt it come through and leak onto my leg). In addition to that she also bled a lot the second time and she said her period came ealry(She said because she switched to different birth control). I haven't had unprotected sex in over 2 years and I haven't had protected sex in over 9 months. Before I called her I assumed she gave it to me and I was fine with it, but when she told me that she got tested pretty much the week before i started having symptoms it made me think for a second that i might have had it. Can it be dormant for over 2 years since my last time of having unprotected sex? I guess there is a chance that I could of received it when I had protected sex, but then again that was over 9 months ago and i never had any symptoms. I have come to two conclusions and I hope you can disagree with both or agree with one of them. (1) I had it, it was dormant, when I had unprotected sex it became active and made its presence known by showing symptoms and I gave it to her (2) She had it, when she got tested the week before we had unprotected sex the second time it did not show because it was not noticeable and when we had sex it became active and I became infected.

First of all, Chlamydia can also be transmitted through oral sex, not just sexual intercourse. It is possible for Chlamydia to stay dormant for months, even years and not cause symptoms. However, repeated and/or persistent infections can increase the likelihood of producing symptoms. So to answer your question, yes, it is possible that you were harbouring Chlamydia for 2 years or longer and did not produce symptoms. It is very possible she also has Chlamydia; she should go back to her doctor because she needs treatment even if her results were negative. Either of you could have had the Chlamydia but were not manifesting symptoms, as to who had it first is very difficult to ascertain. It is also possible both of you had it before you even met. Bear in mind too that condoms (even if intact) are not 100% effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases; condoms may also break but is too small to be seen by the naked eye. I do hope I have appeased your concerns and take care always.