>>>Only time I'd seen fresh figs was in Egypt, back in the late 80s, when I was learning to dive. My friend and I were invited into some Egyptians' flat and they offered a bowl thereof. I respectfully declined but my mate tucked in. As expected the next day he had the "Pharaohs' Revenge" and I was fine. I knew not to consume anything washed in local water. I had warned him too. Meant delaying our course for a day.
>>>
>>>However, since then I've been back many times (in fact going on 19th Oct for a week's diving vac) and eaten lots of salads, etc (esp. metze) and only had one mild bout of if, cf. that which I'd had on my 1st visit.
>>
>>Actually, as I was warned as a kid (during our vacations in Dalmatia), don't drink water after fresh figs. Wait until they digest - an hour or two, or drink wine. For whichever reason the reaction is just as you describe.
>
>Well, I'm talking of the whole of the next day with "the wildies", stomach cramps, nausea, "****ing through the eye of a needle".
>
>Believe me, I've had it just as bad as it gets, over there, my 1st trip, before I learnt the golden rule "Don't eat any food that has been washed in local water, including any fruit that you don't peel yourself".

Even knowing in advance, I had the same experience in Central America. Sometimes, you have no option but to eat what is available and there isn't any way to boil the water ahead of time.